Jose Mourinho was officially presented as Real Madrid’s new manager on 18 August 2026, and hours later he sat down with El Chiringuito for his first interview back in the job. Rodri came up early.

“I spoke to him a couple of times and Real Madrid made him a very good offer,” Mourinho said.

“Rodri had doubts, he hesitated, and Rodri’s doubts created doubts for me.”

The offer, then the retreat

Madrid’s approach was real. Rodri’s agent had already told Spanish radio the midfielder was weighing a “reasonable personal offer” from the Bernabeu when Barcelona’s Hansi Flick made the phone call that swung the deal, according to Forbes.

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Rodri chose the other side of the Clasico divide. Barcelona confirmed the signing on 18 August, tying the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner to the club through 30 June 2030 in a deal worth €60m up front, rising to as much as €75m with add-ons.

“Real Madrid is of a dimension that cannot have players who second-guess themselves,” Mourinho told the Spanish broadcaster, per World Soccer Talk.

Mourinho’s midfield answer

Asked whether Madrid still needed the Spain international, Mourinho brushed the idea aside.

“I am not lacking Rodri. A player who is an X today can become a completely different player tomorrow.”

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Mourinho has spent the summer running a 4-2-3-1 with Bernardo Silva alongside Federico Valverde as the double pivot, with Aurelien Tchouameni behind them as the specialist holder.

“We are not lacking players,” Mourinho said. “I’m not saying there won’t be any more signings because the market is open, but if you ask me directly if it’s closed for me, yes. It is closed. I really like the squad.”

Mourinho’s send-off for Rodri

“He is an extraordinary player, but Real Madrid is of a dimension that cannot have players who second-guess themselves. I wish him well, not too well, obviously, but I wish him well.”

Rodri will wear the No. 16 shirt at the Camp Nou and told Barcelona he is “very happy and excited about this new stage” in his career. Mourinho’s three-year contract at the Bernabeu runs until June 2029, and Real Madrid open their La Liga season against Espanyol.

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