Rodri to Real Madrid: Florentino Perez accused of blocking ‘perfect’ transfer for Ballon d’Or winner

Florentino Perez is being accused from within Real Madrid’s own media circles of jeopardising what is being described as the “perfect” transfer – the signing of Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri – because of his personal doubts over the move.

Spanish columnist launches scathing attack on Perez

In a strongly worded column for Spanish sports daily Marca titled “Recklessness or signing Rodri”, journalist Jesus Sanchez launched a fierce critique of the Real Madrid president, arguing that Perez’s reluctance is now the only serious obstacle to a deal that enjoys overwhelming sporting and popular backing in Madrid.

Recent reports in Spain have claimed Perez is the lone influential figure at the club still hesitant about bringing in the Ballon d’Or-winning midfielder, due to concerns over the player’s previous injury issues and the possibility of future setbacks.

According to Sanchez, virtually every other major factor favours Rodri’s arrival at the Santiago Bernabeu, particularly after his starring role at the World Cup and Real Madrid’s need for a new leader in midfield in the post-Toni Kroos era. Against that backdrop, he described the continuing hesitation as increasingly inexplicable.

“قد يكون الامر برمته مرتبطا باقتناع فلورنتينو بيريز بان رودري هو اللاعب الذي يحتاجه الفريق بالفعل. كل العوامل الاخرى تبدو متوافقة. ولهذا السبب تحديدا، قد يتحول التعاقد مع رودري الى صفقة مستحيلة بالنسبة لريال مدريد. فمن يستطيع تغيير قناعة شخص يعتقد دايما انه على صواب، لانه نجح في اتخاذ القرارات الصحيحة في مناسبات عديدة؟”

‘Easiest chance’ to sign a Ballon d’Or winner

Sanchez argues that if the final green light depends solely on Perez, “the rest of the details seem easy”, adding that Madrid have rarely, if ever, had such a straightforward path to signing a reigning Ballon d’Or holder.

He points to several converging elements: the public clamour, evident in recent celebrations at Plaza de Cibeles and echoed loudly on social media among Real Madrid supporters; the anxiety among rival fanbases at the mere prospect of Rodri joining; the midfielder’s exceptional World Cup, where he shone after overcoming injury fears; and Real Madrid’s clear tactical need for a conductor to dictate the rhythm of play now that Kroos has retired.

Sanchez also stresses the player’s own desire to return to Spain and live “under Madrid’s blue sky” after his years in Manchester, describing it straightforwardly as a wish to come home. All of this, he writes, makes the potential transfer feel “natural and logical”.

He likens the Rodri idea to a plant that has “sprouted and grown spontaneously” and only needs the club to let it flourish. For him, the real surprise is not that the deal is possible, but “that it has not been closed already, and that Real Madrid have not started caring for this ‘seed’.”

Mourinho tipped as possible ‘key’ to change president’s mind

The piece also introduces a potentially significant figure in the saga: Jose Mourinho. Sanchez suggests the former Real Madrid coach, recently linked again with the club in public debate, could be one of the few men capable of persuading Perez to change course.

“لماذا؟ هكذا كان سيجيب مورينيو، الذي يعد احد المدربين القلايل القادرين على تغيير راي رييس النادي، وقد يكون هو المفتاح لكشف هذا اللغز.”

The columnist insists the deal should not depend on player sales or complex swap arrangements, and warns that fans do not want to believe any hesitation has been influenced by political manoeuvring inside the club – such as Rodri’s name appearing on any internal “shortlist” drawn up by presidential hopefuls, or by interpersonal frictions.

He makes specific reference to suggestions that Vinicius Junior is not necessarily close to Rodri following what happened during the 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony, insisting supporters do not want off-pitch dynamics to derail a sports-driven decision.

Madrid fans demand logic after ‘two uneven years’

After what Sanchez characterises as two inconsistent seasons, he says Real Madrid fans are desperate to believe their club is once again acting “with logic and wisdom”.

“يريد جمهور ريال مدريد ان يصدق ان ناديه، وبعد عامين من النتايج المتذبذبة، يتخذ قراراته بمنطق وحكمة. فلا توجد دلالة اكبر على حسن الادارة الرياضية من التعاقد مع هذا رودري تحديدا لهذا الريال.”

On the pitch, Sanchez argues that Real Madrid possess an attacking “nuclear weapon” in Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham, drawing a comparison with the power and depth of the France national team. Yet, he says, the side still lack the one player who can orchestrate the structure, organise the style and give the team a clear identity.

And beyond pure tactics, he claims that signing Spain’s midfield lynchpin would deepen both the emotional and sporting connection between Real Madrid and what he calls “the best national team in the world”, the Spanish national side.

“ولا يقتصر الامر على ذلك، اذ يحتاج ريال مدريد ايضا الى تعزيز الروابط العاطفية والرياضية مع افضل منتخب في العالم، المنتخب الاسباني. رودري يعني التطور”.

For Sanchez, bringing Rodri back to Madrid would symbolise a decisive evolution for Real – but only if Perez can be convinced to abandon his reservations and seize what many in the Spanish capital see as a rare, near-ideal opportunity.