Rodri has confirmed to Mundo Deportivo that he personally contacted Real Madrid manager José Mourinho to explain his decision to join Barcelona, bringing clarity to the public speculation surrounding his summer transfer. The 30-year-old midfielder, who completed his high-profile move from Manchester City in August, addressed the circumstances of his rejection of the Madrid side, maintaining that his choice was governed by his assessment of the sporting project at the Camp Nou rather than any personal animosity.
Multiple independent sources have confirmed the details of the transition. The midfielder, speaking in a recent interview, confirmed he spoke with the Real Madrid manager after the transfer was finalised. "I don't think it's appropriate to reveal a private conversation, but he clearly expressed his desire for me to join and what I could contribute to the team," Rodri said. "When I made my decision, I also called him to thank him for his interest and the way he treated me. I think he's a fantastic coach; he's already proven that wherever he's gone during his successful spells, and Real Madrid is going to be a tough rival in this league."
The move to Barcelona followed a period of intense public commentary from the Real Madrid camp. Shortly after the transfer, Mourinho appeared on El Chiringuito to explain why the deal had collapsed from his perspective, citing an internal conflict in the player during negotiations. "Rodri had doubts, he hesitated... and Rodri's doubts created doubts for me," the manager claimed. "Real Madrid is of a stature that can't have players who think twice about it."
The TransferNews database records that the transfer was completed in August 2026 for a fee of £65m, with the player signing a contract that runs until 30 June 2030. Rodri's arrival serves as a strategic reinforcement for Hansi Flick’s squad, filling a specific vacancy caused by long-term injury issues, including the absence of Frenkie de Jong. The transfer prevented a major rival from securing one of the world's most experienced holding midfielders, aligning with Barcelona’s wider strategy to integrate proven talent alongside their emerging youth players. Financially, the agreement was reached after Barcelona saw an initial £38.5m bid rejected, eventually negotiating a total package well above that opening figure.
Since joining the club, Rodri has established himself as a central figure in the Barcelona XI. His integration has coincided with a flawless start to the 2026-27 season, with the team securing victories in all five of their competitive matches across all competitions. While the club's hierarchy, led by sporting director Deco and Hansi Flick, viewed the opportunity to sign the 30-year-old as an essential move, the player himself has framed his arrival as a decision based on the specific tactical trajectory of the club. Speaking to Goal, Rodri noted that the "sporting project" and the potential to develop further within Flick's system were the primary motivators for choosing Catalonia over the Spanish capital, despite the "exemplary" behaviour shown by the Madrid hierarchy throughout the negotiations.
The resolution of this transfer saga marks the end of a primary summer objective for both clubs, and attention now shifts to the forthcoming competitive meetings between Barcelona and Real Madrid, where Rodri will face the manager who pursued his services earlier in the window. With the transfer window now closed, the focus moves entirely to the domestic and European campaigns, where both clubs remain locked in competition for La Liga dominance.
