Rodri kept humble roots despite €1m salary: lived in student halls and drove £3k car

Rodri has spent the past decade proving that success on the pitch doesn’t have to mean flaunting wealth off it.

The Manchester City and Spain midfielder, who earns over £1 million per year, chose to live in student halls and drive a £3,000 car when he first turned professional at Villarreal. His grounded approach has become a talking point as Spain prepare to face Argentina in the World Cup final on Sunday.

What did Rodri reveal about his early career?

Rodri’s modest lifestyle was no accident. After signing his first pro contract, he moved into the Universidad de Castellon’s halls of residence rather than splash out on luxury digs. He even studied management and business administration, keeping a foot in education while building his football career.

His friend Valentin Henarejo told Marca that Rodri’s day-to-day life stayed “normal.” “He shared a space with everyone, he liked being with his friends and sitting on the sofa with everyone,” Henarejo said. “Train, travel to play, rest, study… as much as he could.”

Why did Rodri drive a £3k Opel Corsa?

Rodri’s first car cost just €3,000: and came with an eight-centimetre “computer” screen that could only turn on the radio. “I was amazed,” he wrote in a 2024 essay for The Players’ Tribune. “You could tap it to turn on the radio and that was it.”

He cycled to the tram, took the bike on board, then cycled the rest of the way to Villarreal’s training ground. Only after getting his licence did he buy the car. “My teammates made fun of me, but I didn’t care,” he said. “I loved it.”

How has Rodri’s career grown since then?

By the time Rodri finished his degree, he was already in his third season at Manchester City. He has since made nearly 200 Premier League appearances and will make his 70th senior Spain cap on Sunday.

“It was tough work, but at the end it was nice,” he told mancity.com. His journey from student halls to Ballon d’Or winner shows how his values stayed rooted even as his career soared.

What’s next for Rodri and Spain?

Spain face Argentina in the World Cup final on 19 July 2026. A win would cap a remarkable rise for Rodri, who has already lifted the European Championship and Ballon d’Or in the past two years.