LaLiga: Rodri Reveals Conversation With Mourinho Before He Snubbed Real Madrid

Barcelona midfielder Rodri has revealed that he held a lengthy conversation with Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho before deciding to join their LaLiga rivals.

Speaking to COPE, Rodri said Mourinho was keen to bring him to Real Madrid and explained the football philosophy and tactical approach he planned to use at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Rodri admitted that Mourinho’s ideas attracted him and that he considered the possibility of joining the Spanish giants.

“Real Madrid tried strongly. José Mourinho shared with me his enthusiasm to get me, his football idea… it attracted me a lot, he’s a top coach,” Rodri said.

However, the Spain international ultimately decided against moving to Real Madrid, choosing Barcelona instead as part of what he described as a sporting decision.

“Then I decided to join Barça and not Madrid due to a sporting decision, here I can grow way more,” Rodri added.

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Rodri eventually completed his move to Barcelona from Manchester City in a £65.4 million deal, choosing the Catalan club despite Mourinho’s efforts to convince him to join Real Madrid.