Syndicated reporting provided by Stats Perform and reviewed by the SoccerNews editorial team.
Jose Mourinho harboured doubts over Rodri’s desire to join Real Madrid as he explained why the club pulled out of a potential deal.
Rodri was a primary target for Madrid earlier in the transfer window, and the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner had been on their radar for several years.
However, Barcelona have instead made a move to sign the midfielder, spending €76.5m (£65m) to bring Rodri in from Manchester City.
Speaking to El Chiringuito, Madrid boss Mourinho confirmed Los Blancos had held talks with Rodri, but that the player’s doubts scuppered a move.
“I spoke with [Rodri] a couple of times,” Mourinho said.
“Real Madrid made him a very good offer.
“I think the relationship between Real Madrid and Man City is very good. The club made him an important offer.
“Rodri had doubts, he doubted, and I think what happened is that the doubts Rodri had, gave me doubts.
“That final step we’re missing” pic.twitter.com/vJzVddttZ1
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 19, 2026
“He’s an extraordinary player. But I think Real Madrid are so big that we can’t have players who think twice. That’s the concept. But he behaved properly with us, and I wish him well.”
Rodri, who led Spain to the World Cup this year and picked up the Golden Ball along the way, won 13 major honours with City, including the Champions League, with his goal proving the winner against Inter in the 2022-23 final.
City won 71.5% of the 298 matches in which Rodri featured, losing just 36 of those games
By contrast, they lost 30 matches when he was absent, with their win percentage dropping to 63.3% across 120 fixtures in total.
Barcelona and Madrid both start their LaLiga campaigns this weekend, taking on Elche and Espanyol, respectively.
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