TransferMirror FootballUnverified source· 15 Sept 2026
Rodri reveals Mourinho call after choosing Barcelona over Real Madrid
Rodri personally phoned Jose Mourinho to tell him he was picking Barcelona over Real Madrid.
Rodri
player
Player
Rodri
Position
Midfielder
From
Manchester City
To
Barcelona
Fee
£65million
What happened. Rodri left Manchester City for Barcelona in a £65million move after holding talks with both Barcelona and Real Madrid. He then called Jose Mourinho to personally inform him of his decision to join the Catalans.
- Rodri was named best player at the World Cup in the summer.
- He had long been linked with a return to Spain after leaving Atletico Madrid in 2019.
- Mourinho arrived at Real Madrid this summer with the club in a rebuild.
“I would l”
— Rodri
Rodri's choice of Barcelona over Real Madrid shapes the midfield plans of both Spanish giants this season.
In this story
Real Madrid
José Mourinho
BarcelonaMore to read
Mirror Football
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The Guardian
‘He doubted’: Mourinho says Real Madrid didn’t want Rodri after hesitation over move
Daily Mail Football
Revealed: The mistakes Real Madrid made to cause Rodri to snub his 'dream' move to their 'ticking time bomb' and join Barcelona for £64.5m instead
