Manchester City supporters have delivered a fascinating reaction to reports that former manager Pep Guardiola encouraged Rodri to choose Barcelona over Real Madrid.
The story has added another layer to the growing uncertainty surrounding Rodri’s future.
According to the report behind the discussion, Guardiola has advised the Manchester City midfielder to consider Barcelona rather than Real Madrid if he decides to leave the Etihad Stadium.
That possibility immediately caught the attention of City supporters.
For many Manchester City fans, the identity of Rodri’s potential next club matters almost as much as the possibility of losing one of the world’s best midfielders.
And the reactions to City Xtra’s post on X showed exactly that.
Some supporters admitted they would much rather see Rodri join Barcelona than Real Madrid. Others welcomed Guardiola’s reported intervention. However, several fans questioned the credibility of the story altogether.
The debate also highlights just how complicated Rodri’s potential departure could become.
Man City fans would prefer Barcelona over Real Madrid
One of the clearest opinions from supporters was that Barcelona would be easier to accept than Real Madrid.
A fan named Atanasius summed up that position simply, saying: “I feel better him going to Barca than Madrid.”
That sentiment was echoed by SAGE, who said that if Rodri has to leave Manchester City, Barcelona would be “much easier” to accept than Real Madrid.
It is not difficult to understand why.
Manchester City and Real Madrid have developed a fierce rivalry in European football. The clubs have repeatedly faced each other in major Champions League matches, creating plenty of history between them.
Rodri moving directly to Madrid would therefore be particularly painful for some supporters.
Barcelona, meanwhile, would still represent a major European destination, but the emotional reaction among these fans appears less hostile.
For supporters who have accepted the possibility that Rodri could eventually leave, Barcelona may therefore be the preferred option.
“W assist from Pep”
One of the most popular reactions came from EJ_465, who responded to the report with: “W assist from pep.”
The comment captured the attitude of supporters who would welcome Guardiola’s reported advice.
From this perspective, Guardiola helping Rodri choose Barcelona would be viewed as a positive development.
The former City boss knows Rodri extremely well.
Guardiola worked with the midfielder for years and played a major role in developing him into one of the most influential defensive midfielders in world football.
That relationship gives Guardiola’s reported opinion additional significance.
If Rodri is genuinely considering his options, advice from a manager who worked with him at Manchester City could carry considerable weight.
However, there is an important distinction between a reported recommendation and confirmation of Rodri’s plans.
The reactions themselves show that supporters are aware of this uncertainty.
Some fans are not buying the story
Not everyone accepted the report.
One supporter dismissed the story entirely, accusing people of adding Guardiola to what they considered an unreliable narrative.
Another fan described anyone believing the report as being “brain dead”.
These reactions highlight an important point.
Transfer stories involving elite players can quickly become exaggerated on social media. A report claiming that Guardiola has advised Rodri to join Barcelona is naturally going to generate enormous attention because of the former manager’s connection with both the player and Manchester City.
But until there is stronger confirmation, supporters will inevitably remain divided.
That scepticism is especially understandable when the future of a player as important as Rodri is involved.
Rodri’s potential exit remains a major concern
Regardless of whether Guardiola actually advised Rodri to join Barcelona, the reaction shows that supporters are worried about losing the midfielder.
Rodri has been central to Manchester City’s success over recent seasons.
His influence goes beyond his defensive work. He controls possession, dictates tempo and provides security in front of the defence.
Replacing a player with those qualities would be extremely difficult.
That is why the possibility of Rodri leaving continues to generate such strong emotions.
For many supporters, the preferred outcome remains obvious: Rodri stays at Manchester City.
The Barcelona-versus-Real Madrid debate is, in some ways, a secondary discussion.
Fans are first and foremost concerned about whether one of City’s most important players will remain at the club.
Barcelona could be the lesser evil
The reactions suggest that supporters are already considering the possibility of Rodri leaving.
That does not mean they want it to happen.
Instead, they appear to be weighing which destination would hurt the least.
Barcelona seems to have emerged as the preferred alternative for some supporters.
There is a certain logic behind that view.
A move to Real Madrid could potentially see Rodri return to England as a Champions League opponent and compete directly against City for European honours.
Barcelona would also be a major threat, but the emotional rivalry is different.
That explains why a supporter could simultaneously be unhappy about Rodri leaving and still prefer Barcelona over Madrid.
Guardiola’s relationship with Rodri adds intrigue
The Pep Guardiola angle makes the story even more interesting.
Guardiola is no longer Manchester City’s manager after leaving the club before the arrival of Enzo Maresca in June 2026.
However, his influence on the club’s recent history remains enormous.
He helped build the team around players such as Rodri and turned City into one of Europe’s dominant sides.
His relationship with Rodri is therefore significant.
If Guardiola really has encouraged the midfielder to choose Barcelona, some City supporters could interpret that as friendly advice from someone who knows the player rather than an attempt to damage his former club.
Others may understandably see the situation differently.
The reactions from City fans show both sides of that argument.
“Barcelona is already suffering”
Another amusing reaction came from a supporter who joked: “MAN HE HAS ARRIVED BARCELONA IS ALREADY SUFFERING.”
That comment appeared to focus on the possibility of Rodri joining Barcelona and the impact his arrival could have.
Rodri would undoubtedly bring elite-level experience to any midfield.
If he were to move to Barcelona, the Catalan club could potentially gain one of the best controlling midfielders in world football.
From a City perspective, however, that would mean watching a key former player potentially strengthen another European giant.
Fans are split, but one thing is clear
The overall reaction to the Guardiola-Rodri story was mixed.
Some supporters were comfortable with the idea of Barcelona becoming Rodri’s next destination if he cannot remain at Manchester City.
Others were pleased by the idea that Guardiola would steer him away from Real Madrid.
But there was also significant scepticism about the report itself.
That combination makes the current situation difficult to predict.
The most important question remains Rodri’s own decision.
Neither Guardiola nor the supporters will ultimately decide his future.
If Rodri chooses to remain at Manchester City, the entire debate disappears.
If he decides to leave, however, the identity of his next club will become one of the biggest stories surrounding the club.
What does this mean for Manchester City?
For Enzo Maresca, Rodri’s future could be one of the most important issues of his early Manchester City tenure.
The Italian manager has inherited a squad entering a new era after Guardiola’s departure.
Keeping key players will be just as important as recruiting new ones.
Losing Rodri would create a significant hole in midfield and could force City to rethink their plans.
That is why supporters are watching every development closely.
For now, though, there is no confirmed transfer to Barcelona or Real Madrid.
The Guardiola angle has simply added another intriguing element to the story.
And judging by the reaction from City supporters, many have already made their preference clear.
If Rodri really has to leave Manchester City, Barcelona would be easier for many fans to accept than Real Madrid.
But ideally, supporters would rather not have to choose at all.
They want Rodri to stay.
