Rodri
Agent, Salary, Contract, Club and Profile
Spain €60mm
Key Facts
Date of birth: 22.06.1996
Nationality: Spain
Current club: Manchester City
Position: Defensive Midfielder
Height: 1.90m
Current market value: €60m
Represented by: Pablo Barquero / PBSIX Sport Limited
Main agent: Pablo Barquero
Reported salary: £11.44m gross per year
Contract expires: 30.06.2027
About
Rodri is a Spanish defensive midfielder who plays for Manchester City and captains the Spain national team. Widely regarded as one of the defining midfielders of his generation, he combines elite positional intelligence, passing range and tactical awareness with exceptional control of the tempo of matches.
He joined Manchester City from Atlético Madrid in 2019 and developed into the tactical reference point of the club’s midfield. Rodri played a central role in City's most successful period, including scoring the winning goal in the 2023 UEFA Champions League final as the club completed a historic treble.
His individual status rose further after helping Spain win UEFA Euro 2024 and subsequently winning the 2024 Ballon d'Or. After recovering from a serious ACL injury suffered in September 2024, Rodri returned to the highest international level and captained Spain to the 2026 FIFA World Cup title, winning the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player.
Rodri has been represented for much of his career by Pablo Barquero, a low-profile Spanish agent who has worked with him since his youth. Barquero operates through a highly selective boutique representation model rather than managing a large portfolio of players.
Representation
Representative: Pablo Barquero
Company: PBSIX Sport Limited
Main representative: Pablo Barquero
Base: Manchester, England
Jurisdiction: England and international markets
FA registration: FARA1086
FIFA licence status: No publicly verifiable FIFA licence number identified
Linked with Rodri since: Approximately age 13
Also represents: Pablo Sarabia
Related agent page: Pablo Barquero
Rodri's representation structure is unusual compared with many other elite footballers. Instead of being managed by one of football's major global agencies, his career has been guided by Pablo Barquero through a small and highly personalised operation.
Barquero has been involved throughout Rodri's progression from Spanish youth football to Atlético Madrid, Manchester City, the Ballon d'Or and the Spain captaincy. He was also involved in Rodri's 2019 move to Manchester City and his 2022 contract extension.
The relationship is notable for its longevity. Rodri publicly acknowledged Barquero after winning the Ballon d'Or, highlighting the representative's importance throughout his career.
Career timeline
Early development: Played youth football with Rayo Majadahonda
2007: Joined Atlético Madrid's academy
2013: Joined Villarreal's youth system
2015: Made his senior debut for Villarreal
2015/16: Established himself with Villarreal B before progressing into the first team
2017/18: Became one of Villarreal's leading central midfielders
2018: Returned to Atlético Madrid
2018: Made his senior international debut for Spain
2018/19: Established himself as Atlético Madrid's first-choice defensive midfielder
July 2019: Joined Manchester City
2019/20: Won the EFL Cup during his first season in England
2020/21: Won his first Premier League title
2022: Signed a Manchester City contract extension until 2027
2022/23: Helped Manchester City win the Premier League, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League treble
June 2023: Scored the winning goal in the UEFA Champions League final against Inter Milan
2023: Named UEFA Champions League Player of the Season
2023: Helped Spain win the UEFA Nations League
2023/24: Won a fourth consecutive Premier League title with Manchester City
2024: Helped Spain win UEFA Euro 2024
2024: Named UEFA Euro 2024 Player of the Tournament
September 2024: Sustained a serious ACL injury against Arsenal
October 2024: Won the Ballon d'Or
May 2025: Returned to competitive football following his knee injury
2026: Captained Spain at the FIFA World Cup
July 2026: Helped Spain win its second FIFA World Cup
July 2026: Won the FIFA World Cup Golden Ball as the tournament's best player
Transfer history
2013 – Atlético Madrid academy to Villarreal academy – Youth transfer
2015 – Villarreal academy to Villarreal B – Promoted within the club
2018 – Villarreal to Atlético Madrid – Permanent transfer – Reported fee: approximately €20m – Five-year contract
2019 – Atlético Madrid to Manchester City – Permanent transfer – Reported fee: approximately €70m – Initial contract until 2024
2022 – Manchester City contract extension – New agreement until June 2027
Manchester City activated Rodri's Atlético Madrid release clause in 2019. He was recruited as the long-term successor to Fernandinho and gradually developed into one of the most important players in Pep Guardiola's tactical system.
His existing contract runs until June 2027, placing his long-term future among the major decisions facing both the player and Manchester City.
Playing profile
Rodri is primarily a defensive midfielder and operates most effectively as the deepest central player in a possession-dominant midfield. He provides the connection between defence and attack while controlling the positioning and tempo of the team around him.
His greatest strength is his understanding of space. Rodri constantly adjusts his position to provide passing options, close potential counter-attacking routes and maintain his team's structure when other players advance.
In possession, he is exceptionally secure. He can circulate the ball through short combinations, switch play across the pitch or break opposition lines through vertical passes into midfield and attack.
His physical presence also distinguishes him from many possession-oriented midfielders. At 1.90m, Rodri is strong in duels, effective aerially and capable of protecting possession under pressure.
Rodri has also developed into an important goalscorer in decisive moments. His powerful long-range shooting and ability to arrive around the edge of the penalty area have produced several important goals, most notably the winner in the 2023 Champions League final.
Without the ball, his positioning allows him to prevent counter-attacks before they develop. Rather than relying on constant tackling, Rodri anticipates passing lanes and positions himself where possession is most likely to be lost.
His combination of tactical intelligence, technical security, physical strength and leadership makes him one of the most complete defensive midfielders of the modern era.
Key strengths
Positional intelligence
Match-tempo control
Progressive passing
Press resistance
Defensive anticipation
Ball retention
Line-breaking distribution
Tactical awareness
Physical strength
Aerial ability
Long-range shooting
Leadership
