When flight PTN27B landed at El Prat airport on Monday evening (local time), some fans were waiting to record the moment Rodri appeared. The flight from Manchester was one hour later than expected but still attracted special attention.
5 days ago, Rodri was also seen at Madrid airport to return to Manchester. At that time, he only carried a small suitcase and was preparing to say goodbye to Man City.
This time, Rodri returned to Spain with his family on a private flight. The destination is Barcelona, where he completed his transfer from Man City.
The agreement between the two clubs took longer than expected, making the deal at times suspected. Barcelona finally reached an agreement with a fee of 60 million Euros, plus 15 million Euros in surcharge. Rodri signed a 4-year contract and received a salary of about 15 million Euros per year, higher than his income at Man City.
I am very happy to be here" - Rodri said after setting foot in Barcelona. The next day, he completed a medical examination and signed the final documents.
For Barcelona, this is not simply a sensational transfer deal. Rodri is considered the successor to Sergio Busquets, a player who left the club in 2023. He possesses the ability to control the game, composure when having the ball and tactical thinking suitable for the football philosophy that Barcelona pursues.
Rodri also came to Camp Nou at a special time in his career. He was just voted the best player of the 2026 World Cup and has won most of the major titles with Man City. After 7 years in England, the 30-year-old midfielder wants to return to Spain.
Barcelona is not Rodri's only choice. Real Madrid was once considered a bright destination for this midfielder and they are very confident in their ability to recruit the Spanish international. Rodri also publicly admitted that being interested by Real Madrid is an honor.
However, Barcelona quickly took advantage of the opportunity when they realized that Real Madrid was no longer sure about the deal. With Barca, Rodri may not be the most urgent position when the initial priority is to add a striker, but owning a player who has won the Ballon d'Or is still an unmissable opportunity.
This deal is even more meaningful as Barcelona owns a quality midfield with Pedri and promising young players. Rodri not only brings professional quality but also adds experience, leadership ability and stability to the squad.
Coach Hansi Flick once emphasized that Barcelona needs players with leadership qualities on the field, who know how to adjust positions and remind teammates in important moments. Rodri is exactly that type of player. When Spain is in trouble, he is often the one who helps the whole team regain their composure.
Luis de la Fuente once called Rodri a "computer" helping Spain operate smoothly. At Barcelona, he can take on a similar role. Rodri once said he always tried to learn from Busquets and saw this legendary midfielder as a role model. Now, he has the opportunity to continue that legacy at Camp Nou.
For Barcelona, this is a symbolic contract. For Rodri, this is his return to Spain after 7 years playing in England. As for Real Madrid, losing the Spanish midfielder could become a big loss in the competition with their arch-rival.
