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'World's best footballer' spotted on Ryanair flight as transfer rumours heat up

Former Ballon d'Or winner and Manchester City midfield titan Rodri has been spotted boarding a Ryanair flight to Liverpool amid mounting transfer speculation

[EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - JULY 19: Rodri #16 of Spain is presented with the Golden Ball award after the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final match between Spain and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)]

Rodri has been linked with a Man City exit(Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Former Ballon d'Or winner and Manchester City midfield titan Rodri has been spotted boarding a Ryanair flight as he makes his way back for the new season.

Rodri was part of Spain's World Cup winning squad over the summer, and he was crowned as the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player, but his future at Manchester City has come into question this summer.

The Spanish midfielder, 30, has been linked with a return to his homeland - with both Real Madrid and Barcelona jostling for his signature, City have held firm with their of upwards of 60m with just 12 months left on his current deal.

[Rodri was snapped boarding the Ryanair flight]

Rodri was snapped boarding the Ryanair flight(Image: kippaxgirlemily/X)

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And Rodri, who returned to City on Thursday (August 13), was spotted boarding a Ryanair flight to Liverpool as he made his way back to Manchester.

The ace, who won the Ballon d'Or in 2024 - controversially beating Vinicius Jr to claim the prize after winning the Premier League and Euro 2024 - was wearing a cap and shades but his disguise didn't fool fans.

"Guys... why is Rodri getting on our Ryanair flight," one social media user joked, sharing snaps of Rodri lining up to board the plane.

"Truly iconic stuff from Rodri flying Ryanair," one fan joked. While a second said: "Imagine boarding your Ryanair flight and seeing Rodri standing in the same queue as you!"

Speaking at his pre-Community Shield press conference on Friday, Enzo Maresca said: "As I have already said, the window is open. We can buy players, sell players.

"Anything can happen. I just saw Rodri now in the building, I just gave him a big hug and we will see what happens." City have been linked with replacements for Rodri, including Enzo Fernandez - with Chelsea quoting 120m for his services.

However, City will have to do without Rodri for the first period of the season, even if he stays, with the midfielder undergoing minor back surgery last month to deal with some "discomfort".

No timeline has been set for his return to the first team.

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