Real Madrid and Barcelona are difficult for English clubs to compete with when the world’s most coveted players become available.
Jude Bellingham is a striking example. Having left Birmingham City for Borussia Dortmund to continue his development, the England midfielder moved to Real Madrid rather than back to his home country.
He remains the only player to represent England’s senior men’s team during the Premier League era without making an appearance in the competition.
Kylian Mbappe was linked with several clubs elsewhere before fulfilling his ambition of joining Real Madrid, while Neymar chose Barcelona over interest from Premier League teams when leaving Santos in 2013 – attracted in part by the chance to play alongside Lionel Messi.
Cristiano Ronaldo left Manchester United for Real Madrid a year after winning the Ballon d’Or, while Luis Suarez joined Barcelona months after winning the Premier League Golden Boot and PFA Players’ Player of the Year with Liverpool.
And Gareth Bale and Eden Hazard swapped London for Madrid after establishing themselves among the Premier League’s leading players. Bale joined Real from Tottenham in 2013 after winning the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award for a second time, while Hazard made the same move from Chelsea six years later, having previously won the league’s top individual honour.
Harry Kane later departed Tottenham for Bayern Munich despite sitting only 47 goals behind Alan Shearer’s Premier League record of 260.
There are practical attractions to Spain – climate, lifestyle and, for many South American players, linguistic and cultural familiarity – but the appeal runs deeper.
Real Madrid and Barcelona carry a particular status as destination clubs, reinforced by their Champions League history, global reach and association with individual honours such as the Ballon d’Or.
Both have been interested in Rodri this summer.
