Rodri's Move to Barcelona: Why He Snubbed Real Madrid and Mourinho

In one of the most high-profile transfers of the summer 2026 window, rodri completed a sensational move from Manchester City to FC Barcelona for a reported fee of £65.4 million. The 30-year-old midfielder, a decorated veteran and the 2024 Ballon d'Or winner, chose the Catalan giants over a serious pursuit from their arch-rivals, Real Madrid.

The Decision: Sporting Project Over the Bernabéu

Speaking in an interview with Mundo Deportivo on September 15, 2026, Rodri revealed that his decision was driven entirely by footballing motives rather than financial incentives. He highlighted the tactical vision of head coach Hansi Flick and sporting director Deco as the primary catalysts for his move [1].

Rodri described the transition as a natural evolution, stating, "It’s been a process, rather than a decision," and noted that the opportunity at Barcelona aligned perfectly with his desire for a new challenge. Beyond the tactics, he was drawn to Barcelona's "family club" atmosphere, noting that the recruitment process felt homely and lacked the aggressive pressure often associated with such high-stakes transfers [1].

The Mourinho Connection and the 'Diplomatic Snub'

The transfer was particularly noteworthy due to the involvement of José Mourinho, who expressed a strong desire for Rodri to join Real Madrid. Rodri confirmed that he had a private phone call with the Portuguese manager, who "clearly expressed his desire" for the midfielder to join the squad and detailed what he could contribute to the team [2].

Despite the interest from Mourinho, Rodri maintained professional courtesy. After finalizing his move to Barcelona, he personally called Mourinho to thank him for the interest and the exceptional treatment he received from the Madrid hierarchy. Rodri dismissed suggestions that Real Madrid's public boycott of the Ballon d'Or ceremony—where he triumphed over Vinicius—played any role in his choice, insisting he remains distanced from "media hype" [1].

Immediate Impact at FC Barcelona

Since arriving in Catalonia, Rodri has quickly become the anchor of Hansi Flick's midfield. His arrival coincides with a dominant start for the club, which has maintained a perfect record of six wins in six matches across LaLiga and the Champions League. In these opening fixtures, Barcelona has scored 26 goals, signaling a potent offensive surge supported by Rodri's stability in the pivot [2].

Rodri's role extends beyond ball distribution; he is expected to provide veteran leadership to a young squad. Having won the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the tournament's Golden Ball in July 2026, he brings a winning mentality to a team aiming to end an 11-year drought in the Champions League [2].

For more on the club's current form, see Why 'laliga games' Is Trending in India: Barcelona's Perfect Start and the Sevilla Clash and LaLiga Stats: The Numbers Behind Barcelona's Perfect Start and the Sevilla Test.