Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri has faced complaints from neighbors over his unusual hobby: flying drones.
Residents in the Salford area, where the footballer lives in a luxury apartment, claim his drone is invading their privacy. According to them, the device flies too close to apartment windows, causing concern and fear that they may be being filmed inside their homes.
Some of the residents have contacted the building’s administration, while others have decided to notify the police, suspecting violations of strict rules on the use and filming of drones.
One of the neighbors, a truck driver who lives on the 34th floor, said that one evening he and his partner were watching TV when they noticed a green light outside the window.
“We saw the drone flying outside our window and then back towards the balcony of Rodri’s apartment. He has all that money and spends his time flying the drone near other people’s windows,” he told The Sun newspaper.
Another resident described a similar situation:
“I live with my partner on a high floor and the last thing you expect to see when you’re watching TV is a drone just a metre from the window. One of the advantages of living so high up is that no one can see you, but now we’re being bothered by Rodri and his drone.”
The discontent also spread to the building’s WhatsApp group, where some residents posted photos of the footballer on the balcony with the drone controller in his hand, claiming that this could constitute a violation of laws on voyeurism and harassment.
Manchester Police confirmed they had received a complaint and were investigating the incident. The footballer is expected to be questioned to determine whether he is aware of the rules relating to the use of drones and the protection of privacy.
According to Civil Aviation Authority rules, drone pilots must respect the privacy of citizens, not cause nuisance and, in most cases, must register and pass a theoretical exam before operating the device.
Rodri joined Manchester City in 2019 from Atletico Madrid for around 70 million euros and in 2024 he also won the Ballon d’Or.