World Cup star Rodri to sign with FC Barcelona, per reports

On Aug 16, 2026

Rodri is starting a new chapter.

The Golden Ball winner at this summer’s World Cup is transferring to FC Barcelona, according to multiple reports on Sunday, Aug. 16. The Spanish star will reportedly join the La Liga club after being with Manchester City since 2019. He has one more year left on his contract with the Premier League side where he won four league titles and the 2022-23 Champions League.

ESPN reports that Manchester City accepted an offer of $88.5 million (€76.5 million or £65.3 million) in the third round of negotiations after rejecting FC Barcelona’s previous two deals for the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner. BBC adds that the deal is expected to be for four years.

Rodri joined Manchester City from Atletico Madrid for $85.1 million (£62.8 million), which was a record for the Citizens at the time.

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Spain celebrates World Cup win with epic parade

Spain fans pack Cibeles Square in Madrid on July 20, 2026, as they await the arrival of Spain’s players one day after the national football team won their second World Cup title following a 1-0 victory against Argentina. Spain’s World Cup winners come back home to a heroes’ welcome in Madrid, where a million fans are expected to greet them after a night of raucous celebrations across the country.

(Nacho Doce, REUTERS)

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Spain celebrates World Cup win with epic parade

(Nacho Doce, REUTERS)

Spain’s Mikel Merino, Fabian Ruiz, Rodri and teammates celebrate with the World Cup trophy during the victory parade.

(Alejandro Martinez Velez, REUTERS)

Spain fans gather at Cibeles Square in Madrid ahead of the parade.

(Ana Beltran, REUTERS)

A woman poses holding a Spanish flag as fans await the parade of Spain’s players in Madrid.

(Ana Beltran, REUTERS)

Spain fans fill Cibeles Square in Madrid ahead of the parade.

(Nacho Doce, REUTERS)

Spain fans gather in Madrid ahead of the parade as they celebrate after winning the World Cup.

(Violeta Santos Moura, REUTERS)

The midfielder, who served as Spain’s captain at the World Cup, was named the player of the tournament after La Roja defeated defending champion Argentina 1-0 for its second men’s title. He won 11 duels in the semifinal match against France and is the 11th player to win the World Cup, Champions League and Ballon d’Or.

He joins Spain teammates Lamine Yamal, Eric García, Pau Cubarsí, Pedri, Gavi, Dani Olmo and Joan García on Barça, which won back-to-back La Liga championships this spring. After the World Cup, the club lost Ferran Torres (Paris Saint-Germain), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United) and Robert Lewandowski (Chicago Fire).

– Contributing: James Powel

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: World Cup star Rodri to sign with FC Barcelona, per reports

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