Rodri’s decision to join Barcelona instead of Real Madrid had been surrounded by plenty of speculation, particularly because several factors could potentially have influenced his choice. The Spanish midfielder has now revealed more details about his decision, making it clear that it was not related to the Ballon d’Or ceremony or any personal issue, but rather to what he believed was best for his career and development as a player.
While other factors could have entered the equation, Rodri explained that he had to choose between two of the biggest clubs in the world and carefully analyze where he could develop the most from a sporting perspective. He also revealed the role played by Barcelona officials, led by Deco and Hansi Flick, in convincing him, while also discussing his conversation with Jose Mourinho after making his decision.
Rodri rejected the idea that Real Madrid’s decision to boycott his Ballon d’Or ceremony had influenced his choice. He insisted that it did not affect him at the time and that the day he received the award was a special moment for him and his family. He added that he saw no point in discussing people who were not present at the ceremony, stressing that he always tries to stay away from such matters.
Rodri explained that his decision between Real Madrid and Barcelona came after careful consideration, emphasizing that he chose the club where he believed he could develop further from a sporting perspective. He admitted that it was not an easy decision, pointing out that saying no to Real Madrid is never simple, especially because the club had treated him perfectly.
The Barcelona midfielder revealed that the club’s management, led by Deco and Hansi Flick, ultimately convinced him, stressing that the sporting aspect was the key factor behind his decision. He explained that Barcelona convinced him because of the football it offers, not because of money.
Rodri also spoke about his conversation with Jose Mourinho, explaining that he did not believe it would be right to reveal the details of a private conversation. However, he confirmed that Mourinho expressed his desire for Rodri to join Real Madrid and discussed what the midfielder could have brought to the team.
Rodri added that Mourinho treated him extremely well and that, after making his decision, he called the manager to thank him for his interest and for the way he had treated him. He also described Mourinho as a great manager who has proven himself everywhere he has worked and throughout the major stages of his career.
At the same time, Rodri acknowledged that Real Madrid will be a difficult opponent in the league, highlighting the strength of the competition expected between the two clubs.
When asked whether links between his name and Enrique Riquelme could have influenced Real Madrid’s approach to signing him, Rodri explained that he stayed away from all of those matters at the time. He said that, if he remembered correctly, the situation occurred during the World Cup, when his entire focus was on the national team and achieving what he still considers the biggest achievement of his career.