Real Madrid already know the profile they need to compete for the Champions League under José Mourinho's orders. While Florentino Pérez closes signings like Bernardo Silva, Denzel Dumfries, Ibrahima Konaté and Marc Cucurella, there is one name that hovers over the white board with special intensity: Rodri Hernández, Manchester City's midfielder who has just shone at the 2026 World Cup with the Spanish national team.

Rodri, the World Cup prize Madrid wants at the Bernabéu

Following the World Cup conquest in the United States —thanks to Ferran Torres' goal against Argentina at the MetLife Stadium—, the attention of supporters has centred on the transfer market and preparations for a new LaLiga season, which kicks off on 15 August with the clash between Alavés and Getafe.

What is interesting is that Rodri was not the best from the first match of the tournament. However, he improved progressively and became a key piece in achieving Spain's second world title. His performance was so notable that FIFA awarded him the tournament MVP prize, a recognition that has brought the spotlight back on him from a market perspective.

Mourinho sees Rodri as the key to the Champions League

According to sport.es, the debate on «El Partidazo de COPE» —Juanma Castaño's programme— has raised the question of whether Manchester City's midfielder fits Mourinho's tactical scheme for the new Madridista project.

Rubén Martín, a collaborator on the radio programme, left no room for doubt: "There is no doubt that if he signs for Real Madrid, Mourinho's team is very close to winning the Champions League again". A statement that reflects analysts' confidence that this signing would mean the quality leap that the white club needs.

Rodri's incorporation would not only strengthen Madrid in Europe, but would also allow them to stand up to Hansi Flick's Barcelona in the battle for LaLiga. The Spanish midfielder would bring experience, defensive strength and game distribution to the new project Mourinho is shaping at the Bernabéu.

Sporting project or money? Rodri's dilemma

Curiously, Martín added another significant detail: Rodri is not swayed by economic remuneration, but by the quality of the sporting project offered to him. In fact, his arrival at Manchester City responded to a very clear objective: to train under Pep Guardiola's orders and improve as a footballer at one of the world's best clubs.

This represents both an incentive and a brake. On one hand, Madrid could convince him with an exciting project led by Mourinho. On the other, Man City and Guardiola himself represent a showcase of success that is difficult to abandon. The question is whether the challenge of taking Real Madrid back to the top of Europe is more attractive to him than continuing to win titles at the Etihad.

Reality: For now, Madrid is not moving

Despite all the media speculation, Arancha Rodríguez —also on the COPE programme— dropped an uncomfortable reality: for now, Real Madrid is making no official moves to bring in Rodri. Florentino Pérez seems focused on closing the signings he already has in the pipeline before launching an offensive for Manchester City's midfielder.

That said, the fact that his name continues to appear in conversations among specialist journalists and in flagship spaces of Spanish football suggests that the operation will remain a recurring topic in the coming weeks. Will Mourinho manage to convince Florentino to take the step?