Mourinho Details Why Rodri Chose Barcelona Over Real Madrid Offer

Ballon d'Or winner Rodri has officially joined Barcelona from Manchester City after rejecting a significant contract offer from Real Madrid.

José Mourinho signed a three-year contract to return as Real Madrid head coach on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at 08:46 PM ET, appearing alongside president Florentino Pérez. During his first interview with the Spanish television program El Chiringuito, Mourinho confirmed that 2026 World Cup best player and Ballon d'Or winner Rodri has signed for Barcelona from Manchester City. The move follows a period where the Spanish midfielder was widely expected to join Los Blancos, who had presented what Mourinho described as a "very good offer" for the player.

Real Madrid’s pursuit of the Manchester City star failed because the midfielder exhibited hesitation during negotiations. Mourinho stated that he spoke with the player a couple of times but detected "doubts" that ultimately led the coach to withdraw his support for the signing. The Portuguese manager emphasized that the stature of the club requires players who do not think twice about joining, though he noted that the relationship between Manchester City and Real Madrid remains strong.

Madrid’s Summer Transfer Activity

While missing out on the Manchester City midfielder, Real Madrid have finalized the signings of six new players during the current transfer window. The incoming group includes Marc Cucurella, Yan Diomande, Bernardo Silva, Ibrahima Konaté, Denzel Dumfries, and Carlos Espí. Despite the market remaining open, Mourinho told El Chiringuito that he considers the current squad closed and expressed satisfaction with the existing roster.

Mourinho returns to the Bernabéu for the first time since his 2010–2013 tenure, inheriting a team that failed to secure a major trophy for two consecutive seasons. The club dismissed two head coaches, Xabi Alonso and Álvaro Arbeloa, during the previous campaign following internal dressing room tensions. Mourinho remarked that many people failed last year and that the previous coaches paid the price for a difficult season.

Dressing Room Dynamics and Mbappé

Regarding the current state of the squad, Mourinho described finding a dressing room characterized by common sense and a strong will to win. He noted that the players have behaved with reproachless conduct, protecting him from his own tendencies toward aggressive leadership. The coach specifically highlighted Kylian Mbappé, describing the forward's performance level as "out of this world" and "incredible."

Real Madrid are scheduled to begin their 2026/27 LaLiga campaign this Saturday with an away fixture against Espanyol. The team enters the season attempting to break a streak of back-to-back league titles won by Barcelona.

The Decision Behind the Rodri Deal

Mourinho clarified that while the club made an important financial and professional offer, the player's lack of absolute certainty was the deciding factor. The coach reiterated that the concept of Real Madrid does not allow for internal conflict regarding a move to the club. Rodri, who was named the best player of the 2026 World Cup, will now join the Catalan side as they defend their domestic crown. Mourinho concluded by stating the midfielder behaved properly throughout the discussions and offered his well wishes for the player's future at the Camp Nou.