Rodri reveals private phone call with Jose Mourinho after rejecting Real Madrid
Rodri confirms he turned down Real Madrid despite a personal approach from Jose Mourinho, choosing to join Barcelona after his time at Manchester City.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Author: Diliff
Rodri's move to Barcelona marks a pivotal moment in recent La Liga history. Following a highly decorated spell under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, the 30-year-old midfielder became the focal point of a major recruitment battle between Spain's two biggest clubs.
The midfielder has now confirmed that Jose Mourinho reached out directly to outline a vision for him at Real Madrid. While Rodri expressed surprise that their interaction became public, he remained professional about the approach.
Well, I don't think it's his place to reveal a private conversation, but obviously he expressed his desire for me to go and what I could contribute to the team. The treatment was very good. When I made the decision I also called him to thank him for the interest. I think he's a fantastic coach. Rodri
Despite the personal appeal from Mourinho and various rumors surrounding the Real Madrid presidential race, Rodri insisted he remained focused on his national team duties at the time. Ultimately, he felt the sporting project at the Camp Nou was the best fit for his career.
His arrival is seen as a transformational step for Barcelona as they aim to reclaim dominance domestically and in Europe. The midfielder's defensive intelligence and tactical control were specifically targeted by the club hierarchy to drive their long-term evolution. He will now face the manager he turned down as a direct rival in the title race.