Coach Flick kept Raphinha playing up front as a makeshift number nine, after the departures of Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres.

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho said Tuesday he is "very happy" with his squad, which he considers complete despite missing out on midfielder Rodri, later signed by rivals Barcelona.

Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca says the club must find a "new Rodri" after the departure of the influential midfielder to Barcelona this week.

Rodri said his aims with Barcelona would be "the Champions League and whatever else comes our way".

Manchester City have identified Ayyoub Bouaddi as their leading option to replace Rodri, with the club in advanced talks with Lille over a move for the highly rated Morocco midfielder, according to the BBC.

His departure leaves new manager Enzo Maresca with the difficult task of replacing one of the most influential defensive midfielders in world football.

Barcelona have reached a deal with Manchester City to sign Spanish World Cup winner Rodri, a source from the Catalan club told AFP Sunday.

Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca said "anything can happen" amid reports La Liga champions Barcelona have bid to sign World Cup winner Rodri.

Manchester City have rejected Barcelona’s opening offer of £38.5m for Spanish midfielder Rodri on Friday.

Manchester City may have already identified their preferred successor to Rodri, with Enzo Fernandez emerging as the name new head coach Enzo Maresca reportedly wants to bring to the Etihad.

"Today Barcelona is closer to being able to consider this transfer than yesterday. We have now secured the player's agreement to open negotiations with Manchester City," the source said, confirming Spanish press reports.

According to a BBC Sport report, Manchester City midfielder Rodri is facing one of the biggest decisions of his career, with both Real Madrid and Barcelona ready to pounce if he decides against extending his stay at the Etihad Stadium.

Spain's World Cup-winning captain Rodri will be sidelined for a short period following minor back surgery, Manchester City said on Tuesday.

Should Rodri complete his return to Madrid, one club would gain arguably the game's outstanding midfield organiser. The other would lose an irreplaceable individual but could ultimately discover a more flexible collective identity.

Enzo Maresca said Friday it is a "privilege" to follow Pep Guardiola as manager of Manchester City.

The curtain has fallen on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Spain edging Argentina 1-0 in the final to lift their second world title, but football's biggest individual prize now takes centre stage.

The Spain captain, who won the Golden Ball after inspiring his country to its first FIFA World Cup 2026 triumph since 2010 earlier this summer, now faces another spell on the sidelines following two injury-hit seasons at City.

Spain's midfield linchpin Rodri did not register a single goal or assist in eight matches as La Roja beat Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the World Cup final in New York on Monday to lift their second world title.

"At the World Cup will be the best Rodri and next season will be the best Rodri." Those words from Pep Guardiola, spoken while Rodri was still recovering from the injury, sounded more like an act of faith than a prediction.

Although it was a tough final, Rodri was in no doubt that his team deserved to join their Spanish 2010 predecessors by lifting the biggest prize in the game.