Luis de la Fuente calls Rodri ‘the Messi of Spanish football’ after Barcelona transfer

Spain manager Luis de la Fuente has bestowed the highest possible compliment on Rodri, calling him “the Messi of Spanish football” just days after the midfielder completed his blockbuster move from Manchester City to FC Barcelona.

The praise arrived on September 1, 2026, with de la Fuente also declaring Rodri “the best in the world in his position.” Coming from the man who coached Spain to a World Cup title with Rodri as captain, the words carry a certain weight.

The deal and its dimensions

Barcelona secured Rodri’s signature around August 18, 2026, in a deal worth up to €76.5 million (£65 million). The upfront fee sits at €60 million, with the rest tied to performance-based add-ons.

Rodri signed a four-year contract that keeps him at Camp Nou through June 2030.

The midfielder reportedly chose Barcelona over interest from Real Madrid, describing the move as a “dream.”

De la Fuente noted that having elite Spanish players competing in La Liga strengthens the domestic league.

A trophy cabinet that needs its own room

Rodri won the 2024 Ballon d’Or, the first Spanish midfielder to claim the award in decades. He captained Spain to their second FIFA World Cup title in 2026 and collected the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player.

During his time at Manchester City, Rodri accumulated 12 major trophies. That collection includes four Premier League titles and the 2023 Champions League, the first in City’s history.

He arrived at the Etihad in 2019 from Atlético Madrid and quickly became indispensable to Pep Guardiola’s system.

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