‘I’ve Already Let Him Know!’ – Rodri Told to Leave Man City with Spain Team-Mate Dani Carvajal Pushing for Real Madrid Reunion

Dani Carvajal’s Honest Plea for Rodri to Swap Manchester City for Real Madrid

Footballers rarely speak openly about wanting their international teammates to join them at club level. Transfer speculation is usually left to journalists, agents, and insiders whispering behind the scenes. But Dani Carvajal isn’t one to play coy.

In a candid conversation on Spanish radio this week, the veteran right-back revealed what many Real Madrid fans have secretly hoped for: a reunion with Rodri, Spain’s midfield general, at the Santiago Bernabéu.

“I’ve already let him know,” Carvajal admitted on COPE’s El Partidazo. “I hope he can be with us at the club in the future because he’s a great player.”

The words are simple, but their weight is heavy. Rodri is the heartbeat of Manchester City’s midfield, a player Pep Guardiola considers untouchable, and yet Carvajal has openly planted the seed of a Bernabéu homecoming.

Life After Kroos and Modric: Madrid’s Midfield Void

Carvajal’s comments don’t come in a vacuum. Real Madrid are navigating a rare moment of transition in midfield – one that has left them more vulnerable than they’ve been in over a decade.

For years, the trio of Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, and Casemiro (later replaced by younger talent) gave Los Blancos unparalleled stability. Kroos dictated tempo with surgical passing, Modric supplied invention and rhythm, and Casemiro shielded the back line with tireless intensity.

But in the summer of 2024, Kroos hung up his boots after Germany’s European Championship campaign. Just months later, Modric chose a surprising exit, signing for AC Milan to extend his career in Serie A.

Suddenly, Real Madrid’s once-untouchable midfield dynasty was no more. And while Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouaméni, and Federico Valverde are extraordinary talents, there’s a noticeable void when it comes to controlling matches. Madrid’s midfield often looks like a Ferrari without a steering wheel – explosive, powerful, but at risk of veering off course.

That’s where Rodri enters the picture.

Rodri

Rodri: The Perfect Successor Madrid Can’t Stop Thinking About

Few players in world football embody composure quite like Rodri. Tall, elegant on the ball, and relentless off it, he has become Guardiola’s midfield anchor at City. When Madridistas watch him play for Spain, it’s hard not to imagine him in white, dictating tempo in front of the Bernabéu crowd.

Madrid have long been linked with him. Reports last summer suggested the club had quietly explored the possibility of signing him, only to find City unwilling to listen. Rumors swirled about alternatives – names like Angelo Stiller popped up – but none carried the gravitas or quality of Rodri.

And yet, Carvajal’s words reignite the conversation. Not because Madrid are negotiating today, but because he represents the dream signing. With Kroos and Modric gone, the need for a player like Rodri has shifted from luxury to necessity.

City’s Stance: Rodri Is Untouchable

Of course, from Manchester City’s perspective, Rodri isn’t going anywhere – at least not soon. The 29-year-old remains central to Guardiola’s long-term plans. In fact, reports in England suggest City are preparing a bumper new contract that would keep him at the Etihad until 2029.

For Guardiola, losing Rodri would be unthinkable. He has often said that City are a different team without him. The rare games where Rodri has been absent through injury or suspension often expose defensive fragilities in Guardiola’s system. He is, quite simply, the glue.

That’s why City are reportedly determined to fend off Madrid’s interest. But football history has taught us one lesson repeatedly: when Real Madrid decide they want a Galáctico, they usually get him.

The whispers suggest Madrid could make a serious push in the summer of 2026, when Rodri will be approaching 31 – still in his prime, but perhaps more open to a final career-defining move.

Dani Carvajal: The Veteran Voice

Carvajal himself is entering the twilight of his career. Now 33, the right-back has spent his entire adult life at Madrid, rising from academy graduate to club captain material. He has seen eras begin and end, and he knows better than most what it takes to keep Madrid at the top.

That’s what makes his comments so striking. Carvajal isn’t speaking as a fan dreaming about transfer rumors. He’s speaking as a player who knows the difference Rodri could make in the dressing room and on the pitch.

At the same time, he’s realistic. “For now, I understand that he’s just coming off a long-term injury and that he wants to repay the trust they’ve placed in the club,” Carvajal said, acknowledging City’s investment and faith in Rodri.

Still, the seed has been planted – and Carvajal has made clear he’d welcome his Spain teammate with open arms at the Bernabéu.

Carvajal’s Own Future: Enjoying the Final Chapter

Real Madrid CF v Real Valladolid CF – La Liga EA Sports

Amid all the speculation about Rodri, Carvajal also reflected on his own future. With Trent Alexander-Arnold arriving in Madrid this summer, his minutes are expected to be reduced. But instead of resisting change, Carvajal is embracing it.

“Seventh Champions League and World Cup with Spain next summer? I’ll sign it right now,” he joked. “I’m retiring, I’ll sign it here. Well, not, because I really like football, I’m not going to sign it, but it would be a fantastic scenario.”

It’s the type of honesty you’d expect from a player who has battled injuries and come out stronger. He admitted that setbacks have made him appreciate the smaller details of his career – training sessions, meals with teammates, even the routine of travel.

Carvajal knows the end is near, but he isn’t ready to put a date on it. For now, he just wants to enjoy the game he has given his life to.

Spain’s Bond: Why Rodri and Carvajal Work So Well Together

On the international stage, the chemistry between Carvajal and Rodri is obvious. Carvajal bombs forward with energy and tenacity, trusting Rodri to cover the space behind him. Rodri, in turn, values the veteran’s experience and leadership, often leaning on him for communication in tight moments.

That mutual respect has clearly fueled Carvajal’s desire to bring Rodri to Madrid. It’s not just about strengthening the squad; it’s about bringing in a player he knows, trusts, and has already conquered Europe with at international level.

What Happens Next?

The likelihood of Rodri leaving Manchester City this year is virtually zero. Guardiola and the club hierarchy will fight tooth and nail to keep him, and Rodri himself has repeatedly spoken of his happiness in England.

But football moves quickly. Contracts get tested, ambitions shift, and Madrid have a history of making the impossible happen. The summer of 2026 may feel far away, but in the transfer world, two years can fly by.

For now, Madridistas can only dream, and Carvajal’s playful nudge has ensured that dream stays alive. The idea of Rodri anchoring Madrid’s midfield in front of Camavinga and Valverde is tantalising – a new dynasty waiting to be built.

Conclusion: Carvajal Plants the Seed, Madrid Fans Dare to Dream

Dani Carvajal’s plea to Rodri is more than just a throwaway comment. It is a reflection of where Real Madrid find themselves in 2025 – searching for a new heartbeat in midfield, longing for the composure and control that Kroos and Modric once provided.

Whether Rodri will ever swap Manchester blue for Madrid white remains uncertain. But Carvajal has made it clear: the door is open, the welcome mat is out, and Madridistas are ready to embrace Spain’s midfield anchor whenever he decides the time is right.

Until then, Carvajal will enjoy what remains of his glittering career, Rodri will continue to dominate at City, and the rest of us will keep an eye on the calendar, wondering if 2026 is the year Madrid make their move.