sports

Rodri Gets Barcelona’s Iconic No. 16 Shirt

Published

1 month ago

August 17, 2026

Rodri Barcelona shirt number has been revealed as No. 16, with the Spain midfielder set to join the Catalan club until June 2030

Spain international Rodri Hernández is set to wear Barcelona’s No. 16 shirt after completing his expected move from Manchester City to the Catalan club, with transfer expert Fabrizio Romano revealing the midfielder’s preferred number on August 17, 2026.

Also read: Sergio Busquets Lands New Coaching Role at Barcelona

Rodri has reportedly asked to retain the No. 16 shirt at Barcelona after discussions with midfielder Fermín López, who is expected to move to No. 7.

“Rodri has asked to wear number 16 at Barcelona during his conversations with Fermín López over recent days,” Romano wrote on X.

“Fermín, set to switch to number 7 so Rodri will maintain his iconic 16.”

The decision gives Rodri the opportunity to continue with a shirt number that has become closely associated with his career.

The midfielder is expected to complete his move from Manchester City to Barcelona this week, with the proposed agreement set to keep him at Camp Nou until June 2030.

The transfer represents a major addition to Barcelona’s midfield as the club looks to strengthen its squad with an established player capable of providing control, experience and defensive balance.

Rodri’s arrival also marks the beginning of a new chapter after several successful seasons in England.

He joined Manchester City from Atlético Madrid in 2019 and developed into one of the most influential midfielders in European football.

His achievements at City include multiple Premier League titles and the club’s historic Champions League triumph in 2023.

Rodri scored the winning goal in the final against Inter Milan and was subsequently recognised as one of the world’s leading midfielders.

His individual achievements reached another high point when he won the Ballon d’Or, becoming the first Manchester City player to receive the prestigious award.

The expected Barcelona move comes shortly after City suffered a 3-0 defeat to Arsenal in Sunday’s Community Shield. Rodri was not included in the Manchester City squad for the match.

At Barcelona, Rodri is expected to bring considerable experience to a midfield that has increasingly relied on technically gifted players. His ability to dictate tempo, protect the defence and influence possession could make him a significant figure in the club’s plans.

For Fermín, the proposed switch to No. 7 would also represent a notable change. The Spain international midfielder has worn No. 16 at Barcelona, but Romano’s update suggests he is prepared to make way for Rodri while taking on a different squad number.

The shirt-number decision may appear minor compared with the transfer itself, but it offers an early glimpse into how Barcelona’s squad could look once Rodri’s move is formally completed.

Also read: Sergio Busquets Lands New Coaching Role at Barcelona

If the deal proceeds as expected, Rodri will begin his Barcelona career with the No. 16 shirt and a contract that is scheduled to run through June 2030.

Opinion

Why Are Football Fans Expecting Trophy Haul from Man City’s 114 Breaches?

Published

3 hours ago

September 30, 2026

Mariam Balogun

By Tai Emeka Obasi,

It is exceedingly terrible for clubs operating in a league as supremely elite as the English Premier League, EPL, to fraudulently cheat themselves to massive success.

Also read: NFF Appeals CAF Ruling on Edo Queens’ WAFU-B Victory

Rules are rules, and supposedly responsible club managements should comply with them in administering a game termed the beautiful game.

Manchester City is currently in the eye of the storm for all the wrong reasons.

A whopping 115 breaches were brought against the club, with reports now indicating that an independent commission found City guilty of 114 of them.

The club, however, maintains that the Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements still to be completed and subject to strict confidentiality.

Manchester City chairman, Khaldoon Al Mubarak, has appealed to the fans to remain calm and faithful, insisting that the club will continue to defend its position and pursue the available legal process.

According to reports, Manchester City is expected to appeal the verdict. The sanctions have not yet been announced, and the possible consequences could include a heavy fine, points deduction, stripping of titles or even relegation.

From the available reporting, however, there is no basis for football fans to start celebrating the prospect of receiving Manchester City’s trophies.

Even if titles were eventually stripped, the relevant period under investigation is 2009 to 2018.

During that period, Manchester City won three Premier League titles, in 2011/12, 2013/14 and 2017/18, as well as three League Cups, in 2013/14, 2015/16 and 2017/18.

That immediately puts a different complexion on the matter.

For instance, Manchester United finished runners-up to City in the 2011/12 and 2017/18 Premier League seasons, while Liverpool finished second in 2013/14.

But whether those titles would actually be reassigned to the runners-up is another matter entirely.

There is no automatic rule that says a stripped title simply moves to the team that finished second. Any such outcome would depend on the eventual sanction imposed by the relevant authorities.

The same applies to Arsenal and the League Cup. Arsenal were beaten by City in the 2018 final, but that does not mean Arsenal would automatically inherit the trophy if City were sanctioned.

Expert opinion has suggested that the eventual punishment could include a substantial financial penalty and a huge points deduction, potentially severe enough to threaten City with relegation.

But until the sanction is formally determined, nobody can say with certainty what punishment Manchester City will receive.

For Gunners fans, therefore, we should lower our expectations from City’s debacle. Even if Manchester City are eventually found guilty after the appeal process and even if they are relegated, Arsenal will not stroll to this season’s title.

Our last match against Brighton and Hove Albion is a huge warning that our squad is not as complete as it is generally acclaimed to be.