Rodri finally reveals why he chose Barcelona over Real Madrid and what José Mourinho told him during private phone call

Rodri had plenty to think about when his next move finally came around. The decision involved two of Spain's biggest clubs, a manager he already knew well, and a conversation with José Mourinho that could easily have pulled things in another direction. Months later, the Barcelona midfielder has now explained what ultimately made up his mind.Why Rodri chose Barcelona over Real MadridThe 30-year-old's decision to leave Manchester City during the summer came as a surprise to some, particularly because Real Madrid had also pursued him. Barcelona eventually secured his signature in a reported £65.4 million move, bringing an end to seven years in England.Rodri has now explained his thinking in an interview with Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, making clear that the choice came down primarily to what he believed was best for his career on the pitch.“The first thing I have to say is that I would have liked it to have been a quiet two or three weeks of vacation, but it wasn't like that at all,” Rodri said.“There were many things to consider and such an important decision had to be made with two of the best clubs in the world. In the end, I made my decision based on sporting reasons, on what motivated me the most and on understanding where I could win and grow the most as a player.“It wasn't an easy decision at all; saying no to Real Madrid isn't easy, especially since they treated me exceptionally well. In the end, Deco and Hansi's leadership convinced me.”Rodri expanded on the thinking behind the move, pointing to both Barcelona's current squad and Hansi Flick's plans for the team.“I've always based my decisions on sporting merit, on where I believe I'll be able to win, be happy, and, above all, grow as a player. And that's why I chose Barça, also because of the generation of players they have and what Hansi is able to build.”The move has already begun to look encouraging. Rodri has featured five times since arriving in Catalonia, while Barcelona have made a perfect start to the season, winning all six of their opening matches across five LaLiga games and one Champions League fixture and scoring 26 goals.Barcelona have won back-to-back LaLiga titles and are now hoping Rodri's experience can help them make another step in Europe as they attempt to end an 11-year wait for the Champions League.Rodri also arrives with considerable experience of winning at the highest level. He won the 2026 FIFA World Cup with Spain in July and was awarded the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player.Rodri reveals what Mourinho said to himReal Madrid's interest was serious enough for Rodri to have a conversation with Mourinho before making his final decision.The Spain international said the Portuguese coach had “clearly expressed his desire” for him to join Madrid, although Rodri chose not to disclose the private details of their conversation.“I don't think it's appropriate to reveal a private conversation, but he clearly expressed his desire for me to come and what I could contribute to the team,” the Barcelona midfielder said.The conversation did not end badly when Rodri chose Barcelona. Instead, he said he contacted Mourinho himself to thank him for the way Madrid had handled the pursuit.“The interaction was very good. When I made my decision, I also called him to thank him for his interest and the way he treated me. I think he's a fantastic coach; I've shown him my worth wherever he's been during his successful periods, and Real Madrid is going to be a tough rival in this league.”What Rodri believes he can bring to BarcelonaRodri's role at Barcelona is not simply expected to involve controlling games from midfield. He believes his experience can also help a relatively young squad deal with situations that many of its players have yet to encounter.“I can contribute in different areas,” Rodri said. “If we're talking about experience and leadership, I think I can add a lot to a group of players that is quite young and maybe haven't faced certain situations as much as I have.“And from a footballing perspective, I am here to adapt to the team. It is already a team that works well, we have seen that they're winners already, and I want to add to that and play to my strengths.”Flick has already made clear what he expects from Rodri, with the midfielder recalling one of the first messages he received from his new manager.“One of the first things Hansi told me was about having a desire to improve day by day, to be non-conformist, to never relax, to never believe you've reached your limit and to always demand more.“That is what will lead you to success sooner or later. I believe that Barça have that room for improvement to achieve the kind of excellence that can lead to winning major European titles, having already done so in Spain.”Barcelona return to action against Racing Santander on Wednesday, September 16, with Rodri now preparing for the next stage of a decision that was ultimately made on sporting grounds rather than sentiment.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.