Mourinho says Real Madrid did not want Rodri after hesitation over move

Spain captain chose to join Barcelona instead for £65.4m

BARCELONA, SPAIN - AUGUST 18: FC Barcelona Unveil New Signing Rodri at Spotify Camp Nou on August 18, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)

José Mourinho has confirmed Real Madrid made Rodri an offer and that he spoke to him about joining the club, but claimed the player’s doubts about the transfer made him unsure about signing Spain’s World Cup-winning captain.

On the same day Rodri was presented at Barcelona after the completion of a €75m (£65.4m) move from Manchester City that the midfielder said was “always my first choice”, Mourinho insisted he would not miss him at the Santiago Bernabéu. “I spoke to him a couple of times and Real Madrid made him a very good offer,” Mourinho said in an interview with El Chiringuito.