Rodri's Humble Beginnings Despite Millionaire Status
Spain midfielder Rodri, a Ballon d'Or winner and key player for Manchester City, lived a remarkably humble lifestyle even as a millionaire professional footballer. While at boyhood club Villarreal, he earned a reported £30,000 per week—over £1 million annually—yet chose to live in student halls and drive a second-hand car worth just 3,000 euros.
Living in Student Halls and Studying for a Degree
Rodri enrolled in a degree in management and business administration at the Universidad de Castellon, living in student accommodation alongside his peers. His friend Valentin Henarejo told Marca: "After the first few days of getting to know him, there was normality. He shared a space with everyone, he liked being with his friends and sitting on the sofa with everyone." Even as his recognition in La Liga grew, his daily routine remained unchanged: "Train, travel to play, rest, study... as much as he could."
A £3,000 Car with a Tiny 'Computer' Screen
Rodri also avoided flashy cars. In a 2024 essay for The Players' Tribune, he recalled: "I told my father, 'OK, I have 3,000 euros to buy a car. See what you can find me.' He called me back the next day, 'OK, I found a good one. This old lady is selling it. She wants 4,000, but it’s got a computer in it.'" The car was an Opel Corsa with an eight-centimetre screen for the radio. "My teammates made fun of me, but I didn’t care! I loved it," Rodri wrote.
Balancing Football and Education
Rodri completed his degree in 2021, by then well into his third season with Manchester City. He reflected: "It was tough work, but at the end it was nice. You have time for everything. Of course, it is a very demanding profession... but with patience, with dedication you can do it." Now, with nearly 200 Premier League appearances and 70 Spain caps, Rodri is one game away from winning the World Cup as Spain face Argentina in the final.
