Rodri's Move to Barcelona: Who Gains and Who Loses

After securing back-to-back La Liga titles, Barcelona made a bold move by signing Rodri, widely regarded as the best defensive midfielder in the world. The club locked him down on a contract running through 2030, strengthening an already formidable midfield.

Midfield wasn’t a glaring weakness for the reigning Spanish champions; under Hansi Flick, their central area was stacked, so much so that some La Masia graduates considered leaving Catalonia just to find playing time. Yet, missing out on Rodri, the 2026 World Cup Golden Ball winner, was not an option.

Rodri’s arrival boosts what is already seen as Spain’s top midfield, adding even more firepower to a team that has won five trophies over the past two seasons. Still, not everyone at the club will welcome the new addition.

Winners

• Pau Cubarsí: The young center back shared the pitch with Rodri at the 2026 World Cup, where both helped Spain concede only once in eight games. Rodri excelled as a midfield disruptor, breaking up counters before they reached Cubarsí. The 19-year-old, named Young Player of the Tournament, now gains a similar protective shield at Barcelona, especially important given Flick’s risky high defensive line.
• Pedri: Known as Barcelona’s key tempo-setter, Pedri’s form dipped late last season and at the World Cup, partly due to fatigue from heavy minutes and constantly shifting midfield partners. Rodri offers stability and freedom for Pedri to express his game. Their experience together at the World Cup gave them insight on how to function effectively side-by-side, likely boosting Pedri’s performance.
• Hansi Flick: The manager arguably benefits the most. Since taking over in 2024–25, Flick has worked with a young squad and limited budget but still won major domestic trophies. The Champions League remains elusive, but signing Rodri provides the ideal defensive midfield anchor. Rodri’s familiarity with La Liga and the Spanish national team setup means he fits in immediately, also bringing leadership qualities Flick values.

Losers

• Frenkie de Jong: De Jong’s summer worsened after a Netherlands exit in the World Cup round of 32 and then an MCL knee injury. While sidelined, he must watch Rodri take his role alongside Pedri in Flick’s double pivot. Competing with Gavi was tough enough last season, but now Rodri’s presence makes reclaiming a starting spot even harder.
• Gavi: Returning strong from an ACL injury in March, Gavi looked set to secure regular minutes this season, especially with De Jong injured. Instead, Rodri’s arrival pushes him towards the bench. Flick supports Gavi and will likely rotate him in cup games and less critical league matches, but consistent starting time will be challenging.
• Real Madrid: The eternal rivals end up empty-handed after being frontrunners to sign Rodri. Born in Madrid and linked to Los Blancos before, Rodri’s switch to Barcelona blindsided them. They hoped he would fill the void left by Toni Kroos but now face their third consecutive season lacking a true deep-lying playmaker. The only midfield reinforcement this summer was Bernardo Silva, Rodri’s former teammate, who may not be enough to fix their midfield troubles.