Courtois Responds to Rodri's Barcelona Move: Madrid Moves On

Thibaut Courtois has fired a pointed parting shot at Rodri after the Spaniard chose Barcelona over Real Madrid, making it clear the European champions will move on without him.

The 34-year-old goalkeeper, never shy of an opinion, was asked about the midfielder’s decision in the aftermath of Real Madrid’s dramatic win over Espanyol in Catalonia. He didn’t bother dressing it up.

“Every player chooses where they want to be. If he didn't want to be with us, well, that's a pity... for him,” Courtois said. “In the end, he's a great player, but he made his choice, and that's it.”

The backdrop only added to the intrigue. The 2024 Ballon d'Or winner was reportedly staying at the same hotel as the Real Madrid squad in Catalonia on the eve of their league clash, a detail that fuelled talk of a last-minute twist. Courtois brushed that aside with a shrug.

“He stays in our hotel? Well, the hotel is big, there will be many people there,” he added, underlining Madrid’s refusal to be drawn into transfer theatre now that the deal is dead.

Mourinho explains why Madrid walked away

While Courtois framed it as Rodri’s loss, Jose Mourinho went deeper into why the transfer collapsed. The new Real Madrid boss confirmed the club pushed hard, but suggested the player’s hesitation broke the spell.

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

That last line is the key. In Mourinho’s Madrid, uncertainty is a red flag, not a phase to be patiently managed. The Portuguese coach made it clear that the badge demands instant conviction, not prolonged reflection.

For Mourinho, the club’s stature gives it the leverage to walk away. If a player is not fully sold on the idea from the first conversation, the door quietly closes.

No Rodri, no problem?

The obvious question is whether missing out on Rodri leaves a hole in Madrid’s midfield. Mourinho pushed back hard on that narrative, insisting his squad is already strong enough and that the focus now is on those who are all-in.

“I am not lacking Rodri,” he stated firmly when asked about depth in the middle of the park. “We are not lacking players. I’m not saying there won’t be any 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.”

That stance sets the tone for the rest of the window. Madrid have lost a target to Barcelona, but they are not scrambling, not panicking, and certainly not begging.

Rodri has made his choice. Courtois and Mourinho have made theirs. The season will decide who read the moment better.