Rodri Explains Decision to Join Barcelona Over Real Madrid

Real Madrid thought they had him. For much of the summer, all roads seemed to lead Rodri to the Bernabeu. The European champion, the 2024 Ballon d'Or winner, the midfield metronome everyone wants – it looked like only a matter of time.

Then he signed for Barcelona.

Speaking to MD, Rodri has now laid out why he walked away from Madrid’s offer and chose to cross the Clasico divide instead, insisting the call was made purely on football grounds.

“The first thing I have to say is that I would have liked it to have been two or three weeks of quiet vacation and they were not at all,” he admitted. “Many things had to be analysed, and such an important decision had to be made with two of the best clubs in the world.”

The tug-of-war dominated his summer. Madrid pushed hard, and for weeks were considered clear favourites. Barcelona stayed in the race, leaning on their sporting project and the voices leading it.

“In the end I made a decision on the sporting level,” Rodri explained, “so it gave me a little more desire and to understand where I could win and grow more as a player.”

He didn’t downplay the weight of the choice.

“It was not an easy decision at all, saying no to Madrid is not easy, and above all that, they behaved exemplarily with me. In the end, Deco and Hansi convinced me.”

Respect for Mourinho and Madrid

Rodri also revealed the respectful back-and-forth he had with Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho, both during the chase and after he chose Barcelona.

“I don't think it's his thing to reveal a private conversation,” Rodri said, careful not to betray details, “but he obviously expressed his desire for me to join, and he told me what I could bring to the team. The treatment was very good.”

The midfielder made sure the conversation did not end with a text message.

“When I made the decision, I also called him to thank him for his interest and treatment. I think he's a great coach, he's already shown it wherever he's gone in his great stages and Real Madrid are going to be a tough opponent for this league.”

There is no bitterness in his words, only the sense of a player who had to choose between two giants and did so with clear criteria.

Rodri also stressed that Real Madrid’s decision to boycott his 2024 Ballon d'Or triumph had no influence on his final call. The choice, he insists, was about the pitch, his role, and where he believes he can keep stacking trophies and minutes at the very top.

Barcelona got their man. Madrid lost out. The next Clasico will tell everyone how much that swing in the market really matters.