Courtois hits back at Rodri after Barcelona transfer
Thibaut Courtois has slammed Rodri for choosing Barcelona over Real Madrid, while Jose Mourinho explains why the deal fell through due to the player's indecision.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0 / Author: Alejandro Ramos
Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has issued a blunt response to Rodri's decision to join Barcelona. The midfielder, heavily linked with a move to the Santiago Bernabeu, ultimately opted for the Catalan giants, prompting a sharp reaction from the Belgian shot-stopper.
Every player chooses where they want to be. If he didn't want to be with us, well, that's a pity... for him. In the end, he's a great player, but he made his choice, and that's it. Thibaut Courtois
Manager Jose Mourinho provided insight into why the potential move to Madrid failed to materialize. The Portuguese boss confirmed that while the club made a significant offer, the player's lack of commitment during initial contact was the deciding factor.
I spoke to him a couple of times and Real Madrid made him a very good offer. Rodri had doubts, he hesitated and Rodri’s doubts created doubts for me. Jose Mourinho
Barcelona moved with conviction to secure the midfielder, viewing him as a priority signing to bolster their squad, particularly to compensate for injury concerns surrounding Frenkie de Jong. The club committed to a substantial financial package to win the race for his signature.
Mourinho has firmly dismissed concerns regarding his squad depth. He insists that he is satisfied with his current roster and is prioritizing the development of his existing players over dwelling on the transfer target who chose a different path.