BARCELONA, SPAIN - AUGUST 18: Rodri leaves the FC barcelona offices ahead of the official presentation as new player of FC Barcelona at Spotify Camp Nou on August 18, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)
Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho has admitted that his side made a “very good offer” to Rodri during the summer transfer window before the World Cup winner opted to join Barcelona instead.
At the start of the window, it seemed Rodri would be heading for the Santiago Bernabeu. However, Barcelona intervened and managed to snap up the midfielder.
Mourinho has now opened up on his club’s pursuit of the Spain star and said that Rodri did receive an offer from Los Blancos.
“Yes, I spoke with him a couple of times, and Real Madrid made him a very good offer. I think there’s a very good relationship with City. Without negotiating with City, the club contacted Rodrigo and made him a significant offer,” he told El Chriringuito.
“Rodrigo had doubts, he hesitated… and Rodrigo’s doubts created doubts for me. He’s an extraordinary player and was very professional with us, nothing negative to say. But Real Madrid is a club of a stature that can’t have players who think twice about it.
“You make contact, and the player asks you, ‘When do I have to go?’ That’s kind of the concept. Rodrigo was very professional with us; I wish him well. Not too well, obviously. But I wish him well.”
Rodri has since been unveiled at Barcelona and said the Catalans “were his first choice.” The midfielder also admitted he was drawn to the club by Hansi Flick and his style of football.