Rodri has revealed the reasons behind his decision to reject Real Madrid in favor of a move to Barcelona, emphasizing that his choice was not simple given the respectful treatment he received from the capital club and manager José Mourinho.
The Spanish midfielder made the statements during an interview with Mundo Deportivo, weeks after completing his transfer from Manchester City to Barcelona on a contract running through June 2030, following a head-to-head transfer battle between the La Liga giants.
Rodri stated: “Mourinho called me and expressed his strong desire for me to join the team, treating me exceptionally well. When I made my decision, I called him to express my gratitude for his interest and the way he treated me.”
He added: “Saying no to Real Madrid was not easy, especially since they treated me wonderfully. I made my decision based on sporting aspects, what excited me most, and where I felt I could win and progress to a greater extent.”
Elaborating on the role of the Barcelona manager, he continued: “Hansi Flick’s ambition was a key factor in my decision to join Barcelona. I admire his refusal to settle for what has already been achieved,” affirming that the sporting project took precedence over financial considerations or rivalry dynamics.
Rodri dismissed suggestions that Real Madrid’s absence from the 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony influenced his decision, noting: “It is not true that I rejected Real Madrid because of their boycott of the Ballon d’Or. It did not affect me at the time; it was my special day, and there is no point talking about people who were not present. It was a beautiful moment for me and my family.”
Regarding the current Ballon d’Or race, he remarked: “The club chose to support Lamine Yamal, saying he is the most deserving player for the award, which is completely legitimate. I hope a Spanish player wins it,” despite Rodri himself being included on the shortlist after winning the FIFA World Cup with Spain and earning the tournament’s Best Player award.
Rodri previously won the Ballon d’Or in 2024 during a ceremony boycotted by Real Madrid’s delegation after learning Vinícius Júnior would not receive the award. The summer of 2026 marked the midfielder’s transfer to Barcelona following a trophy-laden seven-year spell at Manchester City, where he won Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League, establishing himself as a benchmark defensive midfielder of his generation.
