Jose Mourinho reveals why Rodri joined Barcelona over Real Madrid
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Madrid coach talked to Rodri over a move to Los Blancos.
Jose Mourinho has spoken up about Real Madrid’s unsuccessful effort to recruit Rodri, claiming that he spoke with the Spanish midfielder before his move to Barcelona.
The 30-year-old has finalised his move from Manchester City to Barcelona, signing a four-year contract that will keep him with the club until the summer of 2030.
However, before Rodri’s Barcelona move gained traction, the midfielder was strongly linked to Real Madrid.
Real Madrid’s interest was strong enough for Jose Mourinho to call the player, and those discussions appear to have shifted the course of the operation.
Jose Mourinho reveals his conversation with Rodri
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In an interview with El Chiringuito TV, the new Real Madrid manager said that while he respected Rodri as a player, he began to wonder whether the midfielder was fully committed to moving to the Santiago Bernabéu.
“Did I speak to Rodri? Yes, a couple of times. Real Madrid made him a generous offer. Rodri had doubts. His doubts created doubts in me,”
Rodri has previously claimed that he got approaches from several prominent teams before deciding on his future destination.
The Spanish international stated that he thoroughly studied the sporting prospects offered to him before choosing with those closest to him.
Barcelona eventually won the chase for the former Manchester City midfielder, completing one of their most significant transactions of the summer window.
The total transfer cost Barcelona paid for Rodri is likely to be €76.5 million. Of that number, €60 million is considered assured, with €11.5 million made up of readily achievable variables. The remaining €5 million is subject to more severe requirements.
What did Jose Mourinho talk about on the call with Rodri?
He said Rodri had doubts about moving to Los Blancos.
How much did Barcelona pay for Rodri?
They paid around €76.5 million, including add-ons.
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After earning a bachelor's degree in mass media, Rajarshi began his career as a sports writer in 2019, driven by his passion for sports journalism. He has been working in the field for over six years. A devoted fan of Lionel Messi and Barcelona, Rajarshi has been involved in sports since childhood. Before turning his focus to journalism, he even represented his college at the state level. Along with covering football, he enjoys playing the game, watching movies, and experimenting with new recipes in his spare time, as cooking is one of his favorite hobbies.