Rodri joins Barcelona, says ‘it’s a dream to play’ for the club
Spanish football star Rodri has officially joined Barcelona from Manchester City in a deal worth 76.5 million euros. The World Cup-winning captain expressed excitement about joining his international teammates at the Catalan club.
Why it matters
This high-profile transfer significantly impacts the competitive landscape of La Liga and marks a major shift for one of the world's top players.
Spain's World Cup-winning captain Rodri arrived in Barcelona on Monday (August 17, 2026) to seal his transfer from Manchester City, saying it's a dream to play for the Catalan club.
Rodri was expected to undergo a medical on Tuesday as Barcelona and City exchanged documentation to finalise the agreement.
Barcelona agreed to a deal worth 76.5 million euros ($88.5 million), a person with knowledge of the transaction confirmed to the Associated Press on Sunday (August 16, 2026). The person spoke on condition of anonymity because details of the transfer have not been made public.
“Very happy to arrive. There have been some very intense days, but I'm happy that everything has been resolved,” Rodri told reporters briefly.
“For me it's a dream to play for Barcelona. I'm excited about being with my teammates, many of them I already know. Now it's time to get to work and give my best.”
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