Mourinho addresses Real Madrid’s failed Rodri move – “He would have been the icing on the cake”

Real Madrid are in action on Saturday for their first match of the 2026-27 season, with Jose Mourinho’s side facing Espanyol at the RCDE Stadium. It has been a productive summer for Los Blancos, who are ready to right the wrongs of the precious two campaigns, as they aim to overthrow Barcelona in La Liga.

It will be a new-look Real Madrid in one sense, with Ibrahima Konate, Denzel Dumfries, Marc Cucurella, Bernardo Silva, Carlos Espi and Yan Diomande having all been signed over the course of the summer transfer window. However, the club did miss out on Rodri, who ended up joining Barcelona earlier this week.

Mourinho, who previous revealed that Rodri’s doubts over a move ended Real Madrid’s chances of signing him from Manchester City, was once again asked about the club’s failed pursuit of the 2026 World Cup Golden Ball winner during his pre-match press conference on Friday. As per MD, he admitted that a successful deal would have been “the icing on the cake”, although he is not losing sleep over it.

“I don’t think we have a deficit in midfield. Then you can come with the question of ‘If he doesn’t have a deficit, why did you want to sign Rodri?’. Rodri would have been like the icing on the cake. He is a great player, with great experience and great status. If you can have him, then we will have him and we will improve. But we have Tchouaméni, Camavinga, Valverde, Bernardo, Arda; because I think that Arda in the end can also play in these positions. It’s not that we have a problem or that we have to go for another player.”

Will Real Madrid regret Rodri snub?

There is little doubt that Rodri would have been the ideal player to tie together Real Madrid’s squad for the upcoming season. He would have filled the void that Toni Kroos left two years ago, but alas, there is nothing that can be done now – they will just hope that they do not regret missing out on him, especially to their arch rivals.