Jose Mourinho Explains Why Real Madrid Abandoned Rodri Pursuit as Barcelona Secures Star Midfielder

Jose Mourinho has shared the reasons behind Real Madrid's decision to stop chasing Rodri, who ended up making a major summer move to Barcelona. The Portuguese coach revealed that the player’s hesitation played a big role in ending the transfer talks, despite Madrid presenting a lucrative offer.

Barcelona Clinches Rodri Transfer

Rodri officially joined Barcelona this summer, signing a four-year deal until June 2030. The club agreed on a guaranteed fee of €60 million with Manchester City, plus performance-related bonuses that could push the total to €76.5 million. The Spanish midfielder had requested a departure from the Etihad after a successful spell.

Mourinho Details the Breakdown of Madrid’s Pursuit

"I spoke to him a couple of times and Real Madrid made him a very good offer," Mourinho told El Chiringuito. "There is a good relationship with City. Without negotiating with City initially, the club contacted Rodri directly and made a major offer. Rodri hesitated, and his doubts made me hesitate too."

The veteran manager praised Rodri’s professionalism but stressed that Real Madrid demands complete commitment. Mourinho said, "Madrid is a club where players can't second-guess themselves. When you are contacted, you need to be ready to respond immediately. He was respectful, though. I wish him well... just not too well."

Mourinho Stands Firm on Squad Confidence

Despite missing out on the 2026 World Cup Golden Ball winner, Mourinho showed no regrets or feelings of lacking midfield strength. Even with the future departures of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric, many thought Rodri would be the ideal replacement to control the game’s rhythm. Mourinho dismissed this idea.

"I am not lacking Rodri," he said. "We have enough players. The market is open, but if you ask me if it's closed for me, yes it is. I really like the squad we have."

Madrid’s Midfield Setup and Season Outlook

During pre-season, Mourinho favored a 4-2-3-1 formation with a double pivot in midfield. Federico Valverde and Bernardo Silva have taken on the bulk of the minutes, forming the core of Madrid’s engine. As LaLiga kicks off, the team’s midfield balance will be closely watched.

Meanwhile, Rodri aims to settle quickly into the Barcelona lineup, ready to challenge his former suitors in the fight for Spain's top league title.

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