José Mourinho Reveals Why He Had Doubts About Signing Rodri for Real Madrid

José Mourinho has opened up about Real Madrid’s failed attempt to sign Rodri, revealing that the Spanish midfielder’s uncertainty about moving to the Santiago Bernabéu eventually created doubts in his own mind. Rodri was one of Madrid’s major midfield targets this summer, and Mourinho was personally involved in trying to convince the former Manchester City star to join the club.

However, despite several conversations and an important financial proposal from Madrid, Rodri was never completely convinced that the move was right for him. He eventually rejected the opportunity and completed a move to Barcelona, leaving Mourinho to explain why Madrid were ultimately prepared to walk away.

Speaking about the negotiations, Mourinho confirmed that his interest in Rodri was serious and that contact went beyond discussions between agents and club officials. He said he personally spoke with the midfielder several times while Real Madrid also presented a significant offer in an attempt to bring him to the Spanish capital.

But Mourinho noticed hesitation from the player during those conversations, and that became increasingly important to him. The Portuguese coach explained that when he realised Rodri had doubts about joining Madrid, he began having doubts of his own about whether the transfer should happen.

Mourinho Wanted Rodri but Expected Total Commitment

Mourinho’s comments reveal an interesting side of Real Madrid’s transfer approach under the returning manager. Rodri’s ability was never really the problem. The midfielder returned from the 2026 World Cup having strengthened his reputation at the highest level, and Mourinho had previously pushed Madrid to explore the possibility of signing him. Reports in July said the Portuguese coach had convinced the club’s hierarchy that Rodri could provide the control and organisation Madrid needed in midfield, particularly after the team struggled to consistently control matches during the previous campaign.

However, Mourinho appears to place enormous importance on a player genuinely wanting to represent Real Madrid. From his perspective, signing someone of Rodri’s quality would obviously improve the squad, but technical ability alone was not enough if the player remained uncertain about the move. That is why Rodri’s hesitation became a problem. Mourinho essentially decided that if a player needed too much convincing about joining Madrid, then perhaps Madrid should also reconsider whether they needed that player.

That attitude fits Mourinho’s wider message since returning to the Bernabéu. He wants players completely committed to the project and has already started introducing strict standards around training, fitness and punctuality.

Real Madrid’s squad contains enough quality that Mourinho believes the club does not need to desperately chase players who are uncertain about joining, regardless of their reputation. In Rodri’s case, Madrid were willing to make a serious attempt, but they were not prepared to continue indefinitely once his preference started moving elsewhere.

Rodri Eventually Chose Barcelona Over Real Madrid

The battle for Rodri became one of the biggest transfer stories of the summer because Barcelona were also determined to bring the midfielder back to Spain. Madrid had presented Rodri with an important financial offer, but reports at the time consistently indicated that he had not given the club the complete commitment they wanted.

AS reported that Rodri remained respectful during negotiations but never appeared fully convinced by the possibility of becoming a Real Madrid player. That uncertainty kept officials at the Bernabéu cautious even while negotiations were progressing.

Barcelona eventually became Rodri’s preferred destination, and Madrid withdrew from the race. Barça then stepped up negotiations with Manchester City, initially seeing a €45 million proposal rejected before increasing their efforts to complete the transfer. Rodri’s preference played an important role because he had already decided where he wanted to continue his career.

For Mourinho, that decision appears to have confirmed the feeling he developed during his conversations with the midfielder. His argument is not that Rodri lacked the ability to play for Real Madrid. The Portuguese coach clearly rated him highly enough to personally participate in the negotiations. Instead, Mourinho questioned whether signing someone who was not completely convinced about Madrid would be the correct decision for the dressing room he is trying to build.

Mourinho’s Comments Add Another Twist to the Rodri Transfer Story

The comments are particularly interesting because earlier reports suggested Mourinho was one of the strongest supporters of signing Rodri. At one stage, the midfielder appeared to be exactly what the new Madrid coach wanted. His ability to control possession, protect the defence and organise play from deep could have addressed an obvious weakness in the squad, and Mourinho reportedly encouraged the club to pursue him.

Things changed once negotiations became serious. Rodri had options and was clearly considering more than simply the financial package available at Madrid. Barcelona offered a different footballing project, while reports also suggested that his previous relationship with Pep Guardiola and questions surrounding the contrast between Mourinho’s and Guardiola’s footballing philosophies influenced the wider conversation around his decision. What is clear from Mourinho’s own account is that he detected uncertainty during his direct conversations with Rodri and did not like it.

Madrid have since moved forward without him, and Mourinho says he is satisfied with the squad currently available to him. That does not necessarily mean the club would reject another midfield opportunity before the transfer window closes, but Mourinho is publicly presenting Rodri’s rejection as something Madrid have already moved beyond. Rather than expressing frustration about losing a world-class midfielder to their biggest rivals, he has turned the situation around: if Rodri was unsure about Real Madrid, Mourinho became unsure about Rodri.

Rodri Decision Adds Extra Spice to El Clásico

Rodri choosing Barcelona already made his transfer controversial, but Mourinho’s comments add another layer to the story. The midfielder will now potentially come up against the manager who personally tried to convince him to join the opposite side of Spanish football’s biggest rivalry. Every Clásico meeting between Barcelona and Real Madrid will naturally attract enormous attention, but Rodri’s decision means his performances against Mourinho’s team will be watched particularly closely.

For Barcelona, the important thing is that Rodri eventually became convinced about their project. For Real Madrid, Mourinho wants the focus to remain on players who are completely committed to wearing white. Both sides will believe the situation worked in their favour, but the real answer will come on the pitch as Barcelona and Madrid fight for La Liga and the biggest trophies in Europe.

Mourinho’s position, however, could hardly be clearer. He wanted Rodri, spoke with him personally and supported Madrid making an important offer. But once he realised the midfielder was unsure about joining, his attitude changed. In Mourinho’s eyes, a player having doubts about Real Madrid was enough reason for Real Madrid to start having doubts about the player.