What happened: Manchester City and Rodri have reached a contract impasse as the midfielder reportedly opts to wait until after the 2026 World Cup to finalize his future. While City has offered a significant extension to secure the 2024 Ballon d'Or winner beyond his current 2027 deal, external pressure is mounting from Spain.

Why it matters: The uncertainty coincides with the Real Madrid presidential election, where candidate Enrique Riquelme has pledged to bring the Spaniard to the Bernabéu. City remains determined to keep their midfield anchor, even threatening legal action over 'tapping up' allegations during the election cycle.

What to watch: Watch for the results of the Real Madrid election on June 7 and Rodri’s performance in the upcoming World Cup.