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Pep Guardiola will not stand in Rodri’s way if the midfielder wishes to leave Manchester City for Real Madrid, though the manager believes he will stay at the club beyond this summer.

During the international break Rodri, whose contract expires in June 2027, was asked about reports that Real’s president, Florentino Pérez, wished to sign him. When answering, the 29-year-old referenced how being a former Atlético Madrid player would be no obstacle.

“There are other players who’ve taken that path,” he said. “Not directly, but over time. For me, you can’t turn down the best clubs in the world.”

Reminded of his stance that no footballer would ever be prevented from leaving City should they wish to, Guardiola said this would apply to Rodri. “Absolutely. The organisation of the club is above all of us – if one player is not happy, they have to leave.

“Continue the same here if they are happy, and I think he is happy. If he is not happy just knock on the door of the sporting director, accept an offer according to his incredible quality, and after that he doesn’t belong to the club – only himself.”

Guardiola was asked if Rodri would sign a new contract and would still be at City next season. “I know what the club wants,” he said. “They informed me what they want from Rodri – it is to stay, stay, stay. I think [he will]. Always, I had the positive [feeling] with that but in the end I don’t know.”

It was put to Guardiola how Rodri’s comments regarding Real were stronger than those of Chelsea’s Enzo Fernández, who during the break said Madrid was a “beautiful city”. Liam Rosenior has dropped the midfielder for Chelsea’s next two games due to the head coach viewing the 25-year-old’s comments as having “crossed a line”. Given this, Guardiola was asked if he would speak to Rodri.

“No, what Chelsea has done is Chelsea’s [business]. There is no one player that will turn around regarding the chance to play for Madrid [and turn it down]. He was born in Spain. My wish is that Rodri could stay as long as possible in this club – he’s an incredible, top player but the life of everyone is everyone’s, so …

“I know he has proof for many years how attached he is to this club, the contribution has been massive. Now I have the feeling the last one or two games he’s really back for a long, long time.”

Guardiola’s terms also expire in the summer of 2027 and there is doubt regarding whether he will still be in place next season. The 55-year-old was asked if Khaldoon al-Mubarak, the City chair, or any other executive, has asked him to clarify this. “I spoke about that in the past many, many times,” he said.

City host Liverpool in an FA Cup quarter-final on Saturday, with Guardiola aiming to make history by taking a team to a fourth consecutive final.

He said: “I don’t need to finish [my career] and go to the Maldives underneath the coconuts to realise how incredible it is – how proud I am. It’s unbelievable. I don’t know if, in English football, one team has been to seven semi-finals in a row in this competition, the FA Cup. I know four Carabao Cups in a row, four Premier Leagues in a row. I’m sorry, I’m so proud.”

Phil Foden’s form has caused Guardiola to drop him and the playmaker also struggled when starting England’s 1-1 draw with Uruguay and the 1-0 loss to Japan during the break. Guardiola was asked if there might be any benefit to him not being selected for the World Cup as he could rest in the summer.

“I’m pretty sure he would love to go with England. These opportunities cannot be missed. If you have an opportunity, play as good as possible to be selected because it’s only one every four years. You have to.”