Manchester City midfielder Rodri has accused the media of taking his quotes out of context following reports linking him with a future move to Real Madrid.

The Spain international recently made headlines when a radio interview appeared to show him praising the European champions and hinting at a return to La Liga.

Those remarks sparked widespread speculation regarding the future of the 29-year-old at Etihad Stadium.

However, following his national team’s 3-0 victory over Serbia, the former Atletico Madrid star fired back at his critics.

Addressing the media distortion

“If, out of a 50-minute interview, they cut out whatever they want… in the end, I don’t have much more to say,” Rodri stated.
“I’m a person who speaks directly. The interview is there if you want to listen to it in its entirety… and not just certain snippets.”

The holding midfielder is currently sidelined as he rehabilitates from a significant injury.

He insisted that his primary focus remains firmly on regaining his fitness rather than negotiating a new deal ahead of a crucial World Cup cycle.

Contract talks and recovery focus

“What worries me right now is my feeling, my level, how to get back to my previous level,” he explained.

Despite acknowledging his enduring affection for Spanish football, the four-time Premier League winner reiterated his happiness in England.

The midfield anchor’s current contract with the English champions runs until June 2027.

He noted that while discussions about his future will eventually happen, there is no immediate rush to sit down with club officials.

“Obviously, there will be a point where we’ll have to sit down and talk, have a conversation.”

Dougie Freedman has rejected an approach to become Tottenham Hotspur’s new sporting director, opting to remain in Saudi Arabia instead of returning to the Premier League.

The 51-year-old was identified as the primary target to rebuild the recruitment team in north London following Fabio Paratici’s sudden departure to Serie A.

However, contact made earlier this month has failed to convince the former Crystal Palace executive to leave his current project with Al-Diriyah.

Relegation fears and ownership uncertainty

This high-profile rejection marks another significant setback in what has been a disastrous campaign for the London club.

They currently sit just one point above the relegation zone after managing a solitary victory in seven matches under interim manager Igor Tudor.

The interim boss is expected to leave imminently, having struggled to steady the ship following the earlier dismissal of Thomas Frank.

Ongoing uncertainty regarding potential takeover consortiums looking to succeed the Lewis family is also believed to have deterred potential boardroom arrivals.

Search shifts to summer rebuild

The hierarchy must now identify alternative candidates to lead their vital summer restructuring.

Their hunt for a permanent director may now be delayed until their top-flight status is mathematically resolved.

Speculated alternatives include former recruitment chief Paul Mitchell and experienced German executive Tim Steidten.

Whoever accepts the role will face a mammoth task to stabilise the struggling outfit and oversee the appointment of a permanent head coach.

Liverpool are actively pursuing Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise as they search for a high-profile replacement for the departing Mohamed Salah this summer.

The legendary Egyptian forward is set to leave Anfield on a free transfer, concluding a remarkable nine-year spell on Merseyside.

His impending exit has forced the Reds’ hierarchy to work intensively on finding a suitable successor ahead of the upcoming transfer window.

Former Crystal Palace attacker Olise has subsequently emerged as the primary dream target for the Premier League heavyweights.

Dressing room unrest in Germany

The intense speculation surrounding the France international has already caused unease among his current colleagues in Bavaria.

German football journalist Christian Falk reports that the potential switch is being actively discussed within the Bundesliga giants’ locker room.

“Yes, Bayern are aware of this, and we even know that it’s already a topic in the players’ locker room,” Falk explained.
“They obviously don’t want to lose Olise, as they want to build something big here, and the players are concerned about it too.”

Financial firepower could force move

Despite the German club’s strong desire to retain the lightning-fast 22-year-old, there is a growing acceptance that English financial might could dictate the outcome.

The Merseysiders demonstrated their immense spending power last year with a massive £450m recruitment drive.

However, an inconsistent domestic campaign has left the club sitting fifth in the table and facing the very real prospect of missing out on Champions League qualification.

Securing a marquee signing like the former Premier League star is viewed as a necessary statement of intent to prevent further competitive decline.

Alternative targets monitored

While the Parisian-born playmaker remains the priority, Anfield scouts are continuously evaluating other options across Europe.

RB Leipzig forward Yan Diomande is reportedly on a three-man shortlist of preferred candidates should a deal for the primary target prove impossible.

Players and staff of the Senegal national team have paraded the Africa Cup of Nations trophy in front of fans in France, despite being officially stripped of the title just days earlier.

The controversial celebration took place ahead of a sold-out friendly against Peru at the Stade de France on Saturday.

Cheers erupted as captain Kalidou Koulibaly and goalkeeper Edouard Mendy held the silverware aloft for the Parisian crowd.

The squad then completed a lap of honour and posed for group photographs with the cup.

Appeal launched after forfeit ruling

The Lions of Teranga originally secured a dramatic extra-time victory over hosts Morocco in January’s chaotic tournament finale.

However, the Confederation of African Football (Caf) revoked that triumph on 18 March after ruling the team had officially forfeited the match.

Manager Pape Thiaw had instructed his players to leave the pitch following the award of a late Moroccan penalty, causing a lengthy delay before they returned.

Despite the eventual victory sealed by Pape Gueye’s long-range strike, the governing body determined the walk-off constituted an automatic 3-0 default loss.

‘Grossly unfair administrative robbery’

The West African nation fundamentally rejects the disciplinary decision and continues to operate as the reigning continental champions.

Officials have proudly added a second star to the national team’s kit to commemorate the disputed success alongside their 2021 victory.

Senegal Football Federation president Abdoulaye Fall vehemently condemned the governing body’s intervention.

“This is the most grossly unfair administrative robbery in the history of the sport.”

A formal complaint has now been lodged with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas), though a final legal resolution may take several months.

Manchester City require just five more points to clinch the 2025-26 Women’s Super League title following the latest round of domestic fixtures.

The current league leaders are firmly in control of their own destiny as the campaign approaches its dramatic conclusion.

Securing those crucial final results would guarantee the prestigious trophy returns to the Joie Stadium.

This dominant championship charge has been built upon a solid foundation of relentless attacking football and an incredibly resolute defensive structure.

Chasing down domestic glory

Avoiding any unexpected late-season stumbles remains the absolute primary focus for the talented squad.

Rival clubs are rapidly running out of available matches to mathematically close the gap at the summit of the standings.

Supporters will be keeping a constant eye on the live table as every single goal shifts the championship permutations.

Maintaining elite consistency

A triumph this year would add another glorious chapter to the rich modern history of the formidable northern outfit.

Their impressive consistency throughout the demanding 2025-26 schedule has left chasing opponents entirely unable to keep pace.

Ceri Holland has converted an early penalty to give Liverpool a deserved advantage over local rivals Everton in the Women’s Super League Merseyside derby.

The spot-kick was awarded in the opening stages of the fiercely contested encounter, allowing the visitors to establish immediate control.

Stepping up to the mark, the experienced midfielder made no mistake from twelve yards to break the deadlock.

Derby day momentum

Securing an early breakthrough is crucial in high-stakes regional clashes, shifting the immediate pressure onto the home side.

The Reds have historically relished these intense cross-city fixtures, aiming to assert their dominance in the top flight of English women’s football.

Meanwhile, the Toffees must now regroup quickly and find a way back into the contest against their heavily motivated neighbours.

Pushing for WSL dominance

The visiting squad have shown significant attacking intent from the first whistle, completely justifying their advantage on the balance of early play.

Maintaining this slender lead will require sustained defensive discipline as the fierce domestic rivalry unfolds over the remaining minutes.

Tottenham Hotspur will allow Yves Bissouma to leave on a free transfer at the end of the season, regardless of their ongoing Premier League relegation battle.

The north London club have decided against triggering a 12-month extension clause in the midfielder’s expiring contract.

It brings an end to a challenging four-year spell for the Mali international, who has struggled for consistent form and discipline.

Off-field issues and relegation fears

The former Brighton player has endured a frustrating individual campaign characterised by limited first-team opportunities.

His season reached a low point following a string of off-field incidents, which included being dropped for lateness by former manager Thomas Frank.

Spurs are enduring a disastrous season overall and currently sit just one point above the relegation zone with seven matches remaining.

The hierarchy are actively searching for a permanent replacement for interim boss Igor Tudor in an attempt to salvage their top-flight status.

Midfield rebuild already underway

Despite the looming threat of dropping into the Championship, club executives are pressing ahead with summer recruitment plans.

Replacing the departing 29-year-old is not considered a primary concern given the emergence of young talents Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray.

Established options such as Rodrigo Bentancur and Pape Matar Sarr remain key figures in the squad alongside prospect Callum Olusesi.

The Lilywhites must also resolve the future of Joao Palhinha, who is currently at the club on loan.

Potential transfer targets identified

Interest in the outgoing ball-winner has already surfaced from clubs across France, Turkey, the United States, and Saudi Arabia.

However, once-prominent interest from rival Premier League sides appears to have completely diminished.

Should Tottenham seek external reinforcements to bolster their squad, several tactical options have been linked with a move to north London:

Harry Maguire has strongly criticised the officiating during England’s draw with Uruguay at Wembley after Ronald Araujo avoided a red card for a heavy challenge on Phil Foden.

The Manchester City playmaker was forced off the pitch following an aggressive follow-through from the Barcelona defender.

Foden immediately went down in pain and had to be replaced by Cole Palmer just minutes later.

England manager Thomas Tuchel expressed his clear frustration to the fourth official on the touchline.

Maguire questions standard of officiating

Maguire admitted the failure to dismiss Araujo was incredibly difficult for the home side to accept.

He told ITV: “You don’t see tackles like that and not get red cards.”

“A couple of months from the World Cup and we’ve got referees allowing tackles like that… It’s disappointing,” the Manchester United centre-back added.

“We have to move on and manage the game better and come away with the victory.”

VAR denies returning White a winning goal

The controversial tackle was not the only flashpoint on a frustrating Friday night for the Three Lions.

Ben White had initially marked his return to the international setup with the opening goal of the game.

The Arsenal defender recently returned to the squad under Tuchel following a prolonged absence during the previous managerial regime.

However, his successful comeback was marred in stoppage time when a VAR review penalised him for a challenge on Federico Vinas.

Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde stepped up to convert the resulting spot-kick and rescue a late draw for the South American side.

‘A real soft penalty’

Maguire was quick to defend his international team-mate over the decisive late incident.

“A bit crazy, scoring the first goal, I thought he was brilliant when he came on,” Maguire stated.

“I can’t say anything about the defending for that one – if that was me in that position I’d be attempting to block the shot as well.”

“That’s what we’ve got to do. That’s a real soft penalty.”