Rodri — Spain's World Cup-winning captain and midfielder who transferred from Manchester City to Barcelona in 2026, winning player of the tournament honours.
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The Namibian
Rodri came on for his Barca debut
“The Catalan giants eased to a solid victory over their Basque visitors in their first game of the season at the partially-rebuilt Camp Nou, with new arrival Rodri coming on for his Barca debut.”
Raphinha, Lopez strike again as Barca beat AthleticThe Namibian
Rodri arrived at Barcelona from Manchester City
“The arrival of Rodri from Manchester City is Barca's most significant addition, while the departures of veteran striker Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres leave Flick with a reshaped attacking unit.”
Barcelona enter new era as Flick targets La Liga hat trickThe Namibian
Rodri said after his presentation "I'm here to compete for everything, for big things like the Champions League"
“"I'm here to compete for everything, for big things like the Champions League," said Rodri after his presentation.”
Barcelona enter new era as Flick targets La Liga hat trickThe Namibian
Rodri completed his move to Barcelona from Manchester City
“Spain's World Cup-winning captain Rodri said he was ready to "feel that excitement again" after completing his move to Barcelona from Premier League side Manchester City on Tuesday.”
Rodri joins La Liga champions Barcelona from Manchester CityThe Namibian
Rodri was a former player of Atletico Madrid and Villarreal
“After seven trophy-laden years at Man City, the former Atletico Madrid and Villarreal player was reported to be close to joining Real Madrid, before finally opting for their arch-rivals.”
Rodri joins La Liga champions Barcelona from Manchester CityThe Namibian
Rodri was named player of the tournament
“Protecting that defence as brilliantly as ever was the captain Rodri, and it was telling that he was named player of the tournament rather than Messi, Kylian Mbappe or any of the other attacking superstars on display.”
Superb Spain worthy winners of World Cup dominated by superstar namesNew Era
Rodri has provided control and stability in the middle of the park
“Young sensation Lamine Yamal has continued to announce himself on the biggest stage, while midfield maestro Rodri has provided control and stability in the middle of the park.”
Clash of the titans: Spain vs ArgentinaThe Namibian
Rodri led Spain's midfield as Manchester City star
“A commanding performance by Spain's midfield led by Manchester City star Rodri and assisted by Fabian Ruiz and Dani Olmo never allowed the French to gain a foothold in the contest.”
Majestic Spain stun France to reach World Cup finalThe Namibian
Spain captain Rodri said Lamine needs to calm the anxiety he sometimes has
“"I think Lamine needs to calm the anxiety he sometimes has because he wants to show how important a player he is for us," Spain captain Rodri said Sunday.”
Yamal aims to steal Mbappe’s World Cup thunder in semifinal showdownThe Namibian
Rodri has failed to bounce back to his best since suffering a cruciate knee ligament tear in September 2024
“Rodri, who won the Ballon d'Or off the back of Spain's success in Germany two years ago, has failed to bounce back to his best since suffering an cruciate knee ligament tear in September 2024.”
Yamal injury hangs over Spain as Uruguay, Saudi seek Group H surpriseRaphinha and Fermin Lopez goals helped Spanish champions Barcelona beat Athletic Bilbao 2-0 in La Liga to continue their perfect start to the season, with new arrival Rodri making his Barca debut.
28 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Raphinha and Fermin Lopez goals helped Spanish champions Barcelona beat Athletic Bilbao 2-0 in La Liga to continue their perfect start to the season, with new arrival Rodri making his Barca debut.
28 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Kylian Mbappe scored a hat-trick as Real Madrid defeated Real Sociedad 4-1 in La Liga under new coach Jose Mourinho's first home match at Santiago Bernabeu, with Vinicius Junior also scoring and Jude Bellingham providing two assists.
27 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Morocco midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi has become the most expensive teenager in Premier League history after joining Manchester City from Lille in a five-year deal worth 100 million euros (£85.6 million). The 18-year-old, who helped Morocco reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup, made 96 appearances for Lille after breaking into their first team at age 16.
27 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Hansi Flick begins his third season at Barcelona after winning back-to-back La Liga titles, with the club aiming for domestic dominance and Champions League success. Barcelona have acquired Rodri from Manchester City while losing Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres, reshaping the attacking unit as they look to address defensive vulnerabilities.
21 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Spain's World Cup-winning captain Rodri has completed his move to La Liga champions Barcelona from Manchester City on a deal running until 2030, with the transfer value reaching 76.5 million euros including bonuses after two failed bids.
19 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Real Madrid announced a six-year contract extension for forward Vinicius Junior through June 2032 and signed teenage winger Yan Diomande from Leipzig as the club aims to end a two-year trophy drought under manager Jose Mourinho.
7 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Spain won the 48-team World Cup, beating Argentina 1-0 in extra time at the MetLife Stadium on Sunday with a goal from Ferran Torres in the 106th minute. Spain's defensive strength—conceding only once in the tournament—and captain Rodri's play earned him player of the tournament honours over attacking superstars like Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe.
20 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Spain defeated holders Argentina 1-0 in the World Cup final on Sunday, with Ferran Torres scoring an extra-time winner in the 106th minute. The victory ended Lionel Messi's hopes for a triumphant farewell to international football.
20 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Spain and Argentina face off in a World Cup final on Sunday, with reigning champions Argentina seeking to become the first team in 64 years to successfully defend the title, while Messi, aged 39, is likely playing his final World Cup match.
17 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Spain and Argentina will contest the 2026 FIFA World Cup final on Sunday at New Jersey Stadium, with Spain having defeated France 2-0 in the semi-finals and Argentina seeking to defend their 2022 title. The match will be the first time the two nations have met at a FIFA World Cup since 1966.
17 July 2026 · New Era →
Spain and Argentina will face off in the FIFA World Cup final this weekend at New Jersey Stadium. The final will be the first meeting between the two nations at a World Cup since 1966, with Spain aiming to add to their World Cup titles and Argentina defending their 2022 triumph.
17 July 2026 · New Era →
Spain beat tournament favourites France 2-0 in the World Cup semi-final on Tuesday, with goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro, to advance to Sunday's final where they will face either Argentina or England.
14 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Lamine Yamal hopes to emulate Kylian Mbappe by winning the World Cup as a teenager, with Spain facing France in Tuesday's semi-final in Arlington. The 16-year-old Yamal, who scored in Euro 2024's semi-final against France four days before his 17th birthday, will celebrate his 19th birthday on the eve of this World Cup semi-final.
13 July 2026 · The Namibian →
France and Spain meet in a World Cup semi-final at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, with France's potent attacking force led by Kylian Mbappe—who has scored eight goals in six games—pitted against Spain's possession-based, collective style under Luis de la Fuente.
13 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Mikel Merino scored a late goal to send Spain through to the World Cup semi-final with a 2-1 victory over Belgium at SoFi Stadium on Friday. Spain will face tournament favorites France in Dallas on Tuesday.
10 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Spain's World Cup campaign is shadowed by injury concerns, with star winger Lamine Yamal potentially missing the opening two matches against Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia due to a hamstring injury, and key players including Ballon d'Or winner Rodri struggling with recent injuries. Coach Luis de la Fuente has nonetheless expressed confidence that Spain can win the tournament.
28 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Antoine Semenyo scored a late back-flick finish to give Manchester City a 1-0 FA Cup final victory over Chelsea at Wembley, clinching City's eighth FA Cup triumph and second silverware of the season.
16 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Manchester City defeated Arsenal 2–0 in the League Cup final at Wembley, with Nico O'Reilly scoring twice after Arsenal goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga's costly error. The victory gives City their ninth League Cup and manager Pep Guardiola his fifth triumph in the competition.
23 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Arsenal moved seven points clear at the top of the English Premier League after Bukayo Saka's goal secured a 1-0 win against Brighton, while second-placed Manchester City was held to a 2-2 draw by Nottingham Forest.
5 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Manchester City defeated Newcastle 3-1 in their League Cup semi-final second leg at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday, winning 5-1 on aggregate. City will face Arsenal in the League Cup final on March 22 at Wembley.
5 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt defeated Manchester City 3–1 in their Champions League group phase match, with goals from Kasper Hogh (two) and Jens Petter Hauge, marking one of the biggest shocks in the competition's history. The loss left City without a win in four league matches and exposed defensive frailties in what the article describes as an increasingly troubled season for Pep Guardiola's team.
21 January 2026 · The Namibian →