Jose Mourinho Explains Why Real Madrid Abandoned Pursuit of Rodri Ahead of Barcelona Move

Jose Mourinho has revealed the reason Real Madrid decided to stop pursuing Rodri before the midfielder made a headline-grabbing switch to Barcelona this summer. The Portuguese coach insists he holds no regrets about missing out on the 2026 Ballon d'Or winner.

Rodri’s Big Transfer to Barcelona

The Spanish star officially joined Barcelona with a four-year contract extending until June 2030. The deal included a guaranteed €60 million base fee, with performance bonuses potentially pushing the total to €76.5 million. After a successful spell at Manchester City, Rodri pushed for a move away from the Etihad Stadium, attracting interest from both Madrid and their Catalan rivals.

Mourinho Details Player’s Hesitation

The veteran manager disclosed that although Real Madrid offered Rodri a lucrative contract, the player's hesitation led to the deal falling through. Mourinho told El Chiringuito,

"I spoke to him a couple of times and Real Madrid made him a very good offer. I think there is a very good relationship with City. Without negotiating with City, the club made contact with Rodri and gave him a major offer. Rodri had doubts, he hesitated, and Rodri’s doubts created doubts for me."

He added that Real Madrid requires players who commit fully without second-guessing themselves but praised Rodri’s respectful attitude throughout the process. Mourinho wished him well—albeit not too well against Madrid.

No Regrets Over Missing Out on Rodri

Despite losing the 2026 World Cup Golden Ball winner, Mourinho dismissed any idea that his midfield lacks strength. Many expected Rodri to fill the gap left by veterans Toni Kroos and Luka Modric, but Mourinho trusts the development of his current squad.

"I am not lacking Rodri," Mourinho said. "We are not lacking players. I’m not saying there won’t be more signings because the market is open, but if you ask me directly if it’s closed for me… yes. It is closed. I really like the squad."

Mourinho’s Midfield Strategy Moving Forward

During pre-season, Mourinho favored a 4-2-3-1 setup with a double pivot behind the attackers. Federico Valverde and Bernardo Silva featured heavily as the main midfield pair. As La Liga begins, Madrid's midfield remains under close watch.

Meanwhile, Rodri will focus on settling into Barcelona and aims to help his new team challenge Mourinho’s side in the title race.

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