Rodrigo Hernández Cascante, widely known as Rodri, has detailed the intense decision-making process behind his summer transfer to FC Barcelona, revealing that he personally called Real Madrid manager José Mourinho to thank him for his interest and professionalism after rejecting a move to the Santiago Bernabéu, according to reports in Mundo Deportivo and Marca.
The Decision to Choose Barcelona Over Real Madrid
The 30-year-old Spain national team captain emerged as one of the most sought-after midfielders in world football after leaving Manchester City this summer. Real Madrid made the initial push to secure his signature, initiating contact through high-level discussions and a direct phone call from Mourinho. However, Rodri ultimately opted for the sporting project presented by Barcelona’s leadership.
“I would have liked two or three weeks of quiet vacation, and it was nothing like that,” Rodri said in his interview with Mundo Deportivo. “We had to analyze many things and make such an important decision with two of the best clubs in the world. In the end, I made a decision based on the sporting side, for what it sparked in me—a little more desire and an understanding of where I could win and grow more as a player.”
Acknowledging the weight of turning down Barcelona’s fierce rivals, Rodri emphasized that the rejection was far from straightforward. “It was not an easy decision at all, saying no to Madrid is not easy and above all they had an exemplary behavior with me,” he added.
Mourinho’s Personal Appeal and the Role of Deco and Flick
While Real Madrid pursued the midfielder aggressively—including personal outreach from Mourinho—Barcelona’s recruitment strategy relied heavily on sporting vision rather than financial pressure. Deco and Hansi Flick played pivotal roles in convincing the midfielder to move to Camp Nou.
“Mourinho expressed his desire for me to come and what I could contribute to the team,” Rodri noted, declining to reveal the specifics of their private dialogue. “The treatment was very good. When I made the decision, I also called him to thank him for his interest and the way I was treated. He seems to me a great coach, he has already shown it wherever he has been in his great stages, and Real Madrid is going to be a tough rival for this Liga.”
Describing Barcelona’s approach, Rodri praised the club’s calm demeanor during negotiations. “I really liked the way they treated me and not going with that anxiety from Barça. And above all, the naturalness with which they let me know. It was a very familiar feeling, of a family club, and that attracted me a lot. It wasn’t a matter of trying to convince you with numbers, no.”
Focusing Solely on the Pitch Amid External Noise
During the interview, the midfielder also brushed aside off-field speculation linking him to external political or administrative figures surrounding Real Madrid, as well as media narratives regarding the Ballon d’Or ceremony. Rodri insisted that his focus remains strictly confined to athletic performance.
“The person who knows me knows that I try to abstract myself from these types of things, as well as from the media topic. I focus on football,” Rodri stated. “In that sense, I am very English, right? The Premier League is football and little more.”
Next Steps for Barcelona and the Liga Title Race
With his future settled and his integration into Hansi Flick’s squad underway, Rodri’s immediate focus turns to domestic and European competition. Barcelona continues its campaign as Real Madrid looms large as a primary challenger in the Spanish top flight, setting the stage for a fiercely contested domestic season.
Fans and analysts can follow upcoming squad updates, official match previews, and post-match reactions through official club channels and the La Liga official website as the autumn fixture schedule progresses.
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