Jose Mourinho harboured doubts over Rodri's desire to join Real Madrid as he explained why the club pulled out of a potential deal.
Rodri was a primary target for Madrid earlier in the transfer window, and the 2024 Ballon d'Or winner had been on their radar for several years.
However, Barcelona have instead made a move to sign the midfielder, spending €76.5m (£65m) to bring Rodri in from Manchester City.
Speaking to El Chiringuito, Madrid boss Mourinho confirmed Los Blancos had held talks with Rodri, but that the player's doubts scuppered a move.
"I spoke with [Rodri] a couple of times," Mourinho said.
"Real Madrid made him a very good offer.
"I think the relationship between Real Madrid and Man City is very good. The club made him an important offer.
"Rodri had doubts, he doubted, and I think what happened is that the doubts Rodri had, gave me doubts.
"He's an extraordinary player. But I think Real Madrid are so big that we can't have players who think twice. That's the concept. But he behaved properly with us, and I wish him well."
Rodri, who led Spain to the World Cup this year and picked up the Golden Ball along the way, won 13 major honours with City, including the Champions League, with his goal proving the winner against Inter in the 2022-23 final.
City won 71.5% of the 298 matches in which Rodri featured, losing just 36 of those games
By contrast, they lost 30 matches when he was absent, with their win percentage dropping to 63.3% across 120 fixtures in total.
Barcelona and Madrid both start their LaLiga campaigns this weekend, taking on Elche and Espanyol, respectively.
FlashyboiDYan
0
Rodri rejected madrid 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣, they thought nobody can reject them. fools 😂😂
You are getting it wrong oo boy, that’s because Perez didn’t wanted him in that club oo.
Jieabkmpr
1
Another debt is loading for Sufferlonas if care isn’t taken
Jieabkmpr
0
The doubt was a guarantee of starting matches big coach cant give you that in big club there’s big players already in rodri position that’s where refused.. nobody can challenge his position at Barca
If you like buy Alvarez with V O🤪😜
Jieabkmpr
0
The doubt was a guarantee of starting matches big coach cant give you that in big club there’s big players already in rodri position that’s where refused.. nobody can challenge his position at Barca
You won’t still gonna near champions league Talkless or winning the trophy Sufferlona fc🤪😜
DLM13
2
Why would he go to a team that boycotted his Ballon D’or win…
PERRYAMANOR
5
Rodri rejected madrid 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣, they thought nobody can reject them. fools 😂😂
PERRYAMANOR
0
who need rodri madrid will play 100 % without rodri
I can feel your painsssssssssss
Leccirsz
0
Now you Rodri doesn’t like Real Madrid. He wants to play Real Football. And you can only see that at Barcelona.
real football give us 15 champions league
KING47PLUX
0
who need rodri madrid will play 100 % without rodri
pain everywhere😅😅😅😅😅😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
KING47PLUX
0
The doubt was a guarantee of starting matches big coach cant give you that in big club there’s big players already in rodri position that’s where refused.. nobody can challenge his position at Barca
who are the big players in Rodri's position in Madrid? mention them please!!! You madrid fans are too funny n full of that your trophyless team😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅
sodcltyz
2
The doubt was a guarantee of starting matches big coach cant give you that in big club there’s big players already in rodri position that’s where refused.. nobody can challenge his position at Barca
Did Mourinho say that in his submission? Who is bigger than Rodri in his position in that Madrid team? He chose Barca over Madrid and it pains Mourinho and idiots like you.Cry More 🤪
Vicsammy
6
“Rodri doubts gave me doubts” Mourinho and perfect response are like 5&6 lol 😂
egah
0
The doubt was a guarantee of starting matches big coach cant give you that in big club there’s big players already in rodri position that’s where refused.. nobody can challenge his position at Barca
as a Madrid fan, am not surprised at the rubbish you speaking. which madrd mid fielder is better than the least bacer midfielder ? you must be freaking madt!
Mibdlnopst
2
There's no if even if with Rodri or without Hala Madrid will not care about himself
Tansifury10
3
Bro would have suffered in Madrid. Barcelona fits him more
fuzbcopruy
0
The doubt was a guarantee of starting matches big coach cant give you that in big club there’s big players already in rodri position that’s where refused.. nobody can challenge his position at Barca
who's bigger than him in that position
Luabemnou
0
Never persuade a woman who have doubts on you. The is no love, trust me on that one.
You made sense
niniprtuy
1
The doubt was a guarantee of starting matches big coach cant give you that in big club there’s big players already in rodri position that’s where refused.. nobody can challenge his position at Barca
Luabemnou
0
I'm not a fan of you, but I have the same view. He wasn't decisive, and I doubt his story about Real Madrid being his childhood dream to be fake, because he has the opportunity to fulfill that dream and he decided against it.
CharlesEkow77
0
The major reason Rodri rejected Madrid and accepted Barca was simply because of his teammates at the National team. Not one single Madrid player, with Barca having five players
Cucurella is from Brazil?
djfyahbreads
0
who need rodri madrid will play 100 % without rodri
AFerRckz9833
0
the point is madrid has players as big as rodri if not bigger. in madrid, he would have been a fish in the pond, reason for the doubt, in barcelona he definitely will be a big fish in the pond.
You should say many big egos at Madrid.. there’s big players at Barca but they let everyone feel important there’s a difference between the two clubs on egoism
Kipdiltyz
4
The major reason Rodri rejected Madrid and accepted Barca was simply because of his teammates at the National team. Not one single Madrid player, with Barca having five players
voebeipsuy
0
tell them
Why would they not want to sign best midfielders in the world ??
Barforlife
2
Now you Rodri doesn’t like Real Madrid. He wants to play Real Football. And you can only see that at Barcelona.
Demcdinost
1
the point is madrid has players as big as rodri if not bigger. in madrid, he would have been a fish in the pond, reason for the doubt, in barcelona he definitely will be a big fish in the pond.
You’re a mumu man for thinking this way!!
sitacdkouz
0
👎👎
payceotuz
4
Yes! Everybody knows that Real Madrid don’t play beautiful football and it will even be worst with Mourihnoh
Imtiyaz_asen
0
Barca didn’t sign this guy because they wanted him they only signed him to avoid Madrid from signing him and that’s why they’ll never surpass Madrid they’re always preparing to beat Madrid every season while Madrid always prepares to conquer Europe
tell them
Tikacdinps
4
Stop the nonsense talk, admit to your defeat in this deal.
Barca didn’t sign this guy because they wanted him they only signed him to avoid Madrid from signing him and that’s why they’ll never surpass Madrid they’re always preparing to beat Madrid every season while Madrid always prepares to conquer Europe
mabaknorz
6
Now I think everyone knows that Rodri never admire real Madrid
daydiklmuz
1
Who cares he leave for Barcelona that's fine Real Madrid will compete for tittle this season let's wait for elclassico.
Truthishere
0
the point is madrid has players as big as rodri if not bigger. in madrid, he would have been a fish in the pond, reason for the doubt, in barcelona he definitely will be a big fish in the pond.
You're talking about a ballon dor winner, a Champions league winner and a World Cup winner + WC golden ball, something none of your players, both past and present have achieved and might never achieve. Put some respect lad!
Yomaelmsty
2
Stop the nonsense talk, admit to your defeat in this deal.
Lekcdenoru
2
ooooooi my friend
JohnDuggan92
3
Pre season scores Madrid 2-1 Barca Bernado silva Rodri Cucurella 🤣😂
wondekpty
3
the point is madrid has players as big as rodri if not bigger. in madrid, he would have been a fish in the pond, reason for the doubt, in barcelona he definitely will be a big fish in the pond.
reggy105
1
MOURINHO is a liar ... Real Madrid need Rodri more than Barcelona Real Madrid act childish for Rodri Balloon D'or... that's the reason why Rodri rejected Real Madrid Tell the truth... Real Madrid white house 🏠 is getting worse than Donald Trump white house 🏠
IshmaelChimombo
2
Maureen focus on your boy's you have alot of work this season
Neymesrez
5
Lies! The brother rejected Madrid and that’s the fact
wohacdnop
3
Thank God Mourinho came to this world as a man, if he was a woman finding a man would have been a miracle finding a husband. He talks too much
Paaaeipryz
0
fuck you all football
Paaaeipryz
0
here comes the barca dogs ready to attack.
kayusmessi
6
Bernardo Silva doubt gave us dobt, mourinho move on
Lukcklmruz
0
Never persuade a woman who have doubts on you. The is no love, trust me on that one.
😂😂😂😂
hasbkmoz
6
League not start yet and you are already complaining
Kinginbojan
0
I hope it's not that Camavinga you want to use as DM this season 😎
rutabekmos
3
Never persuade a woman who have doubts on you. The is no love, trust me on that one.
returnofthesaith
5
You go explain taya