Overview
- In a mid-September interview with Mundo Deportivo Rodri said he left Manchester City and chose Barcelona for sporting reasons, saying the club’s project gave him the best chance to win and develop.
- Rodri confirmed Jose Mourinho personally called to press Real Madrid’s case and that he rang Mourinho afterward to thank him for the approach and the way Madrid handled talks.
- He rejected suggestions that Real Madrid’s 2024 Ballon d’Or boycott or reported political links affected his choice and said he focused solely on football during the decision process.
- The transfer was completed in the summer and reports place the fee in the tens of millions of euros with figures varying between roughly €60 million and reports of up to about €76.5 million; Rodri missed parts of preseason while integrating and has begun contributing on the field.
- Barcelona expect Rodri to anchor Hansi Flick’s midfield, bring leadership to a young squad and strengthen their challenge for LaLiga and the Champions League after he arrived with maximum leverage following Spain’s World Cup and his Ballon d’Or win.