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Spain Captain, Rodri Joins Barcelona From Manchester City
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Spain’s World Cup-winning captain signs until 2030 after seven trophy-filled years at Manchester City and says he is ready for a fresh challenge
Spain captain Rodri Hernández, 30, completed his high-profile move from Manchester City to Barcelona on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, signing a contract with the La Liga champions until 2030 and bringing an extended summer transfer saga to an end.
Barcelona confirmed the agreement on Tuesday after reaching a deal with Manchester City on Sunday, with a source from the Premier League club telling AFP that the transfer could rise to €76.5 million, including bonuses.
Rodri arrived in the Catalan capital on Monday to finalise personal terms before being formally unveiled by Barcelona the following day.
The Spain midfielder said he was eager to begin a new chapter after seven decorated years at Manchester City.
“I’m very happy and excited about this new stage in my career,” Rodri said during his unveiling.
“It’s a fresh challenge, a chance to experience new things and feel that excitement again.”
The Rodri Barcelona move concludes one of the most closely watched transfer stories of the summer, with Barcelona making two unsuccessful bids before eventually reaching an agreement with City.
Rodri’s decision also represents a significant career shift.
The former Atlético Madrid and Villarreal midfielder had reportedly been linked with a move to Real Madrid, but ultimately chose their fierce La Liga rivals.
His arrival gives Barcelona one of Europe’s most accomplished central midfielders and adds further experience to a squad seeking domestic success while rebuilding its challenge for the Champions League.
Despite Barcelona’s recent dominance of Spanish football, the club has not won Europe’s premier club competition since 2015, when Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suárez spearheaded the side to its fifth Champions League triumph.
Rodri made no secret of his ambitions at his new club.
“It’s a pleasure to be at Barca. I’ll give 100 percent of everything I have,” he said.
“I’m here to compete for everything, for big things like the Champions League.”
The midfielder added that Barcelona’s ambition appealed strongly to him.
“I’ve come to a hugely ambitious club that really suits my personality, so I’ll try to help in every way I can to achieve our objectives this season.”
The move comes after a difficult period physically for Rodri, who has dealt with injuries during the past two seasons.
His quality remained evident on the international stage, however, as he played a prominent role in Spain’s successful World Cup campaign in North America last month.
Rodri will also find several familiar faces inside Barcelona’s dressing room. Spain teammates Lamine Yamal, Pedri and Dani Olmo are already established members of the squad, potentially easing his transition into the new environment.
He will also work alongside new arrivals Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi, who joined Barcelona during the summer.
Rodri’s relationship with his new manager, Hansi Flick, will be another important element of the move.
The midfielder worked closely with Pep Guardiola during his Manchester City years and became one of the Catalan coach’s most trusted players. Rodri said Flick’s different approach could provide another valuable stage in his development.
“(Flick has) a style that I think is somewhat different from what I’ve experienced before, so it will be enriching and help me grow as a player,” Rodri said.
His departure brings an emotional end to a remarkable Manchester City spell.
Rodri joined City from Atlético Madrid in 2019 and developed into one of the central figures of Guardiola’s successful era at the Etihad Stadium.
During seven seasons, he helped City win 12 major trophies, including four Premier League titles and the club’s first Champions League crown in 2023.
His importance to City’s midfield was underlined by his ability to control matches, dictate tempo and provide decisive moments in major games.
Reflecting on his departure, Rodri expressed pride in what he achieved with the English champions.
“I am leaving the club with a huge sense of pride about what we have achieved and gratitude too for so many amazing memories,” he said in a statement published by Manchester City.
“What we have done together in these years is something both very special and unforgettable.”
For Barcelona, the arrival of a World Cup-winning captain represents an ambitious statement about the club’s intention to compete for the biggest prizes again.
For Rodri, it is an opportunity to experience a different footballing culture, work under Flick and pursue the Champions League trophy that Barcelona have been chasing since 2015.
After years of success in Manchester, the midfielder now begins what could be one of the most significant and exciting chapters of his career in Catalonia.
Ghana international midfielder Thomas Partey is mourning the death of his father, Jacob Teye Partey, who reportedly passed away on Wednesday, September 30, 2026.
The news has plunged the Partey family into mourning, with reports indicating that the circumstances surrounding Jacob Teye Partey’s death have not been disclosed. Funeral and burial arrangements are also yet to be announced by the family.
Thomas Partey had not publicly commented on the death of his father at the time of the reports, as the family comes to terms with the loss.
Jacob Teye Partey played an important role in his son’s football journey and was among the people who supported Thomas during the early stages of his career.
An old interview involving Thomas Partey has resurfaced following his father’s death, highlighting some of the sacrifices Jacob made to help his son pursue his football ambitions.
In a 2018 interview, Thomas recalled that his father sold personal belongings to help him obtain football boots during the formative stages of his career.
The support reportedly went beyond providing equipment. In a separate account, Jacob Teye Partey was said to have sold land and other properties to help finance his son’s move from Ghana to Spain.
That move eventually opened the door to a professional career in Europe, with Thomas joining Atlético Madrid’s youth setup in 2011.
The midfielder gradually progressed through the Spanish club’s system before establishing himself in the senior team. He later became one of Ghana’s prominent international players and went on to play in the English Premier League for Arsenal.
Thomas Partey currently represents Saudi Pro League side Al Shabab.
The death of his father has therefore brought renewed attention to the family support behind the footballer’s rise from Ghana to the international stage.
For many young footballers, the journey to professional football involves significant sacrifices from parents and relatives, particularly when opportunities require travel, equipment and financial support. Jacob’s reported contribution to his son’s career has been highlighted in reports following his passing.
The news has also generated messages of sympathy from members of the Ghanaian football community and supporters, who have expressed condolences to Thomas Partey and the wider family.
Further details about Jacob Teye Partey’s funeral are expected to be announced by the family in due course.
As the Partey family mourns, attention remains on the private loss experienced by the Ghana midfielder and the important role his father played during the early stages of his football journey.
Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his departure from the Portugal national team training camp following a conversation with the president of the Portuguese Football Federation.
The veteran forward said his decision came after the national team coach’s press conference, although he did not immediately disclose the specific reasons behind his departure.
As reported by football transfer expert on Wednesday, the Portuguese was quoted as saying, “After the National Team coach’s press conference, and following a conversation with the President of the Portuguese Football Federation, I have decided to leave the National Team training camp,” Ronaldo said.
The 41-year-old said he would explain his reasons at a later date, insisting that his commitment to Portugal had always remained strong.
“In due time, I will tell all Portuguese people the truth about the reasons that led to my departure from the national team, to which I have always dedicated myself,” he said.
Ronaldo also wished the national team and his teammates well following his decision to leave the camp.
“Now is the time to wish good luck to Portugal and to all my teammates,” he added.
The announcement comes as Portugal prepares for its upcoming international commitments, with Ronaldo’s departure likely to generate significant attention ahead of the team’s next fixtures.
Further details about the circumstances surrounding his decision are expected to emerge when Ronaldo provides his promised explanation.
Newsmen had reported that Portugal coach Jorge Jesus insisted on Wednesday that there was no rift between him and Cristiano Ronaldo, but the 72-year-old did acknowledge that his captain had been disappointed to remain on the bench in the side’s Nations League win over Norway.
The Gambia produced a stunning result on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, defeating Ghana’s Black Stars 4-2 in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at the Accra Sports Stadium.
The defeat leaves Ghana without a win from their opening two matches in Group C, putting the Black Stars under early pressure in their bid to qualify for the continental tournament.
Ghana began their qualifying campaign with a 2-0 defeat to Côte d’Ivoire in Bouaké before suffering another setback against The Gambia on home soil.
The latest loss means the Black Stars must quickly regroup and secure positive results in their remaining group matches if they are to keep their qualification hopes on track.
The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
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