FC Barcelona is in advanced negotiations with Manchester City midfielder Rodri Hernandez over a transfer for the 2026-27 season, according to transfer experts. The 30-year-old 2024 Ballon d'Or winner has given the green light to leave the English club and join manager Hansi Flick's project. The captain of the Spain national team was recently crowned a world champion at the 2026 World Cup.
If completed, the signing of Rodrigo Hernandez would represent a major blow to rival club Real Madrid. Rodri is also considered one of the main contenders for the 2026 Ballon d'Or and could potentially win the award as a Barcelona player.
Social media hints and club history
The official social media account of the Ballon d'Or hinted at the transfer by asking whether the midfielder could become the next Barcelona player. The publication noted that Barcelona has invested in star players throughout its history and featured numerous men's Ballon d'Or winners.
The post added that if the transfer is completed, Rodri would become the 11th Ballon d'Or winner to wear the Barcelona shirt. It highlighted the club's history with the award going back to the 1960s, when Luis Suarez Miramontes won the trophy while playing for the Catalan team.
Johan Cruyff won the award twice as a Barcelona player in 1973 and 1974, having previously won it with Ajax. Bulgarian forward Hristo Stoichkov in 1994 and Brazilian forward Rivaldo in 1999 were also recognized for their performances at the club, followed by Ronaldinho in 2005.
Lionel Messi is the most successful winner in the history of the award, winning six of his eight Ballons d'Or while playing for FC Barcelona. Other players won the award at different stages of their careers after or before playing for the club.
Allan Simonsen joined Barcelona in 1979, two years after winning the Ballon d'Or with Borussia Monchengladbach. Ronaldo Nazario won the award in 1997 for his performance at Barcelona, although he received the trophy after moving to Inter Milan, before winning it again in 2002.
Luis Figo earned the award during the first half of 2000 while at Barcelona, but received the trophy months later following his transfer to Real Madrid. Ousmane Dembele played several seasons for Barcelona but won the award in 2025 following his performances with Paris Saint-Germain.
Race for Ballon d'Or winners record
The official Ballon d'Or account also issued a warning to Real Madrid, noting that signing Rodri would allow Barcelona to equal a historical record. Real Madrid currently holds second place for the highest number of Ballon d'Or winners in football history, behind AC Milan with 12 winners.
Real Madrid has featured 11 Ballon d'Or winners in its squad since the creation of the award. The list of Real Madrid winners includes Alfredo Di Stefano, Raymond Kopa, Ronaldo Nazario, Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo, Michael Owen, Fabio Cannavaro, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Luka Modric and Karim Benzema.
If the transfer of Rodri goes through, Barcelona would equal Real Madrid with 11 winners each. Barcelona could also potentially surpass Real Madrid during the current season.
Transfer negotiations and valuation
Rodri is currently on vacation while waiting for the transfer to be finalized. An initial offer from Barcelona, presided over by Joan Laporta, was rejected by Manchester City after the Catalan club offered 45 million euros.
A higher bid from Barcelona is expected in the coming hours to move the negotiations forward. Manchester City holds an initial valuation of 75 million euros for the midfielder, but British media report that the deal could close for a fee between 55 million and 60 million euros.
