Inside Rodri’s humble life including living in student halls as footballer
Rodri has maintained a humble lifestyle despite being one of the best players in the worldCredit: Getty
He and girlfriend Laura Iglesias prefer to lead a private lifestyleCredit: Getty
The couple met at universityCredit: MANCHESTER CITY
Rodri has become the first Premier League player to win the Ballon d’Or in 16 yearsCredit: AFP
Spain team-mate Alvaro Morata reckoned Rodri would have picked up the gong after winning the Treble in 2023 if he was more marketable.
Rodri finished fifth in the voting for the Ballon d’Or in City’s treble yearCredit: Sunday Times
Living in uni halls
Rodri joined City from Atletico Madrid but began his career at Villarreal where he spent time living in university halls while he was a student.
Shunning renting a posh apartment, Rodri lived in a shared space at the Universidad de Castellon in eastern Spain.
He studied Business Studies and Economics, and balanced a precarious football career with his degree, never missing a lecture
“But, of course, at the start it was strange seeing him playing table tennis or doing his washing.”
Rodri lived in halls at uni despite being a professional footballerCredit: X @THURBRUYNE
He earned a degree in Business Studies and EconomicCredit: X @City_Chief
Private life
Rodri and his partner Laura like to keep their personal life under wraps – with Laura’s Instagram kept private
The four-time Premier League winner revealed he often watches those videos back, saying: “When I get to score, I always have a video of Laura celebrating the goal at home and I always watch it in a locker room.”
Laura is studying to be a surgeonCredit: GettyShe has become the midfielder’s biggest fanCredit: Getty
Modest lifestyle
When he passed his driver’s test Rodri decided against purchasing a Ferrari or Lamborghini, and instead bought a second-hand Opel Corsa from an elderly lady.
His friend Valentin said: “One time he told me that some friends were ‘crazy’ for buying nice cars, all that mattered was that it takes you from A to B and that’s all.”
Rodri’s first car was an old Opel Corsa he bought off an elderly lady