Rodri reveals personal Mourinho call after choosing Barcelona over Real Madrid

Rodri has revealed he called José Mourinho personally to explain his decision to join Barcelona rather than Real Madrid, after the midfielder ended his six-year spell at Manchester City in a £65m move this summer.

The 30-year-old Spain international, named the best player at the World Cup, had been courted by both Catalan giants and Los Blancos as he sought a return to his homeland. Mourinho, who arrived at the Bernabéu this summer overseeing a rebuild, held direct talks with Rodri in an attempt to persuade him to cross to Madrid.

“Saying no to Madrid is not easy, above all when their behaviour with me was exemplary,” Rodri told Mundo Deportivo. “In the end, Deco and Hansi convinced me.”

On the conversation with Mourinho, Rodri was careful not to divulge details but confirmed the courtesy call took place. “I don’t want to reveal a private conversation, but evidently he expressed his desire for me to go there and explained what he felt I would bring to the team. When I made the decision, I also called him to thank him for the interest and the way he was with me. He is a great coach — he has demonstrated it across many years.”

Rodri left Atlético Madrid for the Premier League in 2019 and spent six seasons at City before making the switch to the Camp Nou. He described the summer as anything but restful. “I would like to have had a more relaxed holiday, but that was not the case. I had to analyse a lot of things and make a big decision between two of the best clubs in the world. In the end, I was guided by sporting aspects — by what excited me a little more and where I felt I could win and grow most as a player.”

The decision has paid early dividends. Barcelona have won all six of their opening fixtures — five of them in La Liga — scoring 26 goals in the process as they sit top of the table and look to defend their league crown. The first El Clásico of the season, with Barcelona as hosts, is scheduled for 25 October.