{
  "id": 7997290,
  "title": "Rodri a player 'we cannot replace,' says Man City's Hugo Viana",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/rodri-a-player-we-cannot-replace-says-man-citys-hugo-viana-7997290",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-17T09:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National Business",
    "slug": "the-national-business",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/football/2026/09/17/rodri-a-player-we-cannot-replace-says-man-citys-hugo-viana/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Manchester City's director of football, Hugo Viana, has revealed that the club made significant efforts to retain midfielder Rodri before his £65 million summer transfer to Barcelona. Viana called Rodri \"irreplaceable\" and emphasized the player's irreplaceable role on the team's midfield. Over his seven years at City, Rodri helped the club win 12 major trophies, including four Premier League titles, two FA Cups, three League Cups, and the 2022/23 Champions League. He scored the winning goal in the 2023 final against Inter Milan, and was awarded the 2024 Ballon d'Or. After Spain's successful World Cup campaign, Rodri was linked with a move back to Spain, but Viana said the club had positive conversations with Rodri and his agent, and respected the player's decision to join Barcelona. Viana also acknowledged the departures of other key players like John Stones, Bernardo Silva, Savio, and Omar Marmoush, and said the club is focused on signing new talent to replace the departing players.",
  "summary": "Manchester City director of football Hugo Viana said the club tried to persuade Rodri to remain at the club before his summer move to Barcelona, calling the Spanish midfielder irreplaceable. Rodri completed a move to the Spanish champions in August, signing a four-year contract at Camp Nou for a reported fee of £65 million plus add-ons . It brought down the curtain on a trophy-laden seven-year…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National UAE",
        "title": "Rodri a player 'we cannot replace,' says Man City's Hugo Viana",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/rodri-a-player-we-cannot-replace-says-man-citys-hugo-viana",
        "published": "2026-09-17T09:00:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}