Why Rodri Chose Barcelona Over Real Madrid: Inside the £65m Man City Transfer and Mourinho's Critical Errors

Rodri, the Manchester City midfielder, is on the verge of a major return to La Liga. Contrary to widespread expectations, he won’t be joining Real Madrid. Instead, he has chosen to sign with Barcelona in a deal worth around £65 million. This decision highlights some serious missteps by Jose Mourinho and his side.

Real Madrid’s Lack of Drive Proves Costly

The surprise move shook Spanish football as Rodri leaned towards Barcelona rather than Real Madrid, who had long been linked to the player. Sources close to Marca suggest Real Madrid’s hesitation and internal disagreements cost them dearly.

• Internal Concerns: Doubts emerged at Valdebebas about Rodri’s style, with critics saying he slows the game down and that the club sought a more forceful midfielder.

This hesitation stalled their pursuit, allowing Barcelona to swoop in.

Barcelona’s Relentless Pursuit

Real Madrid’s approach felt more like a routine check-in than a determined chase. Although President Florentino Perez and CEO Jose Angel Sanchez made contact, Mourinho refrained from personally reaching out to Rodri. Notably, Mourinho did call others such as Marc Cucurella and Bernardo Silva but not Rodri himself.

In contrast, Barcelona deployed heavyweights including Hansi Flick, Joan Laporta, and Deco, all making personal appeals to Rodri. The club even involved current teammates from the national squad to connect with him directly.

Unstable Atmosphere at Real Madrid

Beyond personal touches, the bigger picture influenced Rodri’s choice. Barcelona’s back-to-back La Liga titles and clear tactical system, which mirrors Spain’s national team, offered stability and clarity.

• Real Madrid’s Troubles: Their camp was described as volatile after a turbulent end to last season, marked by public disputes.

Financial offers from both clubs were reportedly identical, so Rodri’s preference came down to the environment and playing style, despite his roots in Madrid.

A New Chapter at Barcelona

The transfer is moving swiftly. Rodri is expected to ink a four-year contract, keeping him at Camp Nou until 2030. His exit from Manchester City signals a shift in European football dynamics, as City lose a key midfield figure.

• Upcoming Medical: Scheduled for Wednesday morning at Barcelona’s training ground.
• Presentation Plans: The club aims to unveil him before the Joan Gamper Trophy against Al-Ahly.
• Debut Delay: Fitness issues might postpone his first appearance, but anticipation at Camp Nou is high.