Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has revealed that Rodri expressed “doubts” over joining the club that ultimately led the Spain midfielder to sign for Barcelona instead.
The Catalan club completed a deal to sign the World Cup-winning captain from Manchester City on Tuesday, with Rodri agreeing a deal through to 2030.
The 30-year-old had expressed a desire to return to Spain after seven years in the Premier League, and Mourinho has confirmed that he held talks over the possibility of a move to Madrid.
But Rodri’s expression of reservations led to the Portuguese manager, back for a second stint at the club, cooling his own interest, clearing the way for the Barcelona move.
“I spoke with [Rodri] a couple of times,” Mourinho revealed in an interview on Spanish TV show El Chiringuito. “Real Madrid made him a very good offer.
“I think the relationship between Real Madrid and 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.
“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.”
The midfielder is among the leading contenders to win the Ballon d’Or for a second time after playing a key part in Spain’s World Cup triumph.
Real Madrid open their La Liga season with a trip to Espanyol on Saturday, while Barcelona begin the campaign at Elche.
