Rodri, a Premier League winner, a Champions League winner, the Euro 2024 winner, and the 2024 Balon d’Or winner, is a lot of things, being a simple, everyday guy is also one of them.
The Spanish midfielder is famous for living a very simple life despite the riches. In fact, his simple way of living became a meme on social media as people would copy-paste the exact same tweet and get thousands of interactions.
“Rodri has no social media, no tattoos (so he can donate blood easier), no fancy cars, lived in student accommodation while earning £220K a week, donates 1/4 of his wages to charity, and bought a second-hand Vauxhall Corsa from an old lady. How can you hate him?”
Coming across tweets that mention one or all of these points became an everyday occurrence.
While fans have since turned Rodri’s simplicity into a meme, these are all facts. Rodri indeed has no social media presence, doesn’t have any tattoos, and famously lived in student accommodation in university halls when he was at Villareal.
Instead of living in a rented posh apartment, he resided in a shared space at the Universidad de Castellón in Spain.
Moreover, he studied Business Studies and Economics while managing to balance a budding football career with his degree, missing zero lectures in the process.
Despite his stellar performances earning him a huge pay rise at Manchester City, he rejected a lavish lifestyle, instead favoring a more low-key way of life.
When Rodri passed his driver’s test, instead of purchasing a Lamborghini or Ferrari, something he was very capable of doing, he chose to buy a second-hand Opel Corsa from an elderly lady.
Recently, Rodri was spotted in yet another act of simplicity as the 2024 Balon d’Or winner was seen getting a haircut like a commoner.
In an era where every Premier League player either goes for VIP sessions or calls the barber to their home for a personalized haircut session, Rodri, who has largely sported a simple, side-parting buzzcut hairstyle, was seen getting a trim at the A J City Cut, a small barber shop in Manchester’s City Centre.
To put it into perspective, a haircut at City Centre costs between £10-£30, which is significantly less than the £250 – £400 haircuts Premier League players typically pay for each VIP session.
While Manchester City is riding high, Rodri’s sighting is welcome news for Pep Guardiola, who’d love to have his star midfielder back.
It was also great news for fans who are eagerly awaiting the return of the Spanish midfielder from his hamstring injury.
While it isn’t known how much longer he’ll be out, Guardiola suggested he could return after Christmas.
If Rodri getting a fresh trim is a sign, perhaps his return could be sooner rather than later.
