'Not an easy decision': Rodri explains why he snubbed Real Madrid

Rodri has spoken publicly for the first time about the difficult decision to snub Real Madrid in favour of a summer move to Barcelona, revealing that the sporting project under Hansi Flick ultimately proved decisive.

The Spanish international's departure from Manchester City became one of the biggest storylines of the transfer window, with Real Madrid mounting a serious late push before the midfielder opted to join their fiercest rivals instead.

Speaking to Mundo Deportivo, Rodri described his exit from City as something that unfolded gradually rather than a single moment of decision.

"It's been a process, rather than a decision. First, you have to realise that your time there has come to an end and that you might want a new challenge," he said.

"From there, the moment the opportunity at Barcelona arose, I realised it was the best thing for me for many reasons," he added.

The 2024 Ballon d'Or winner insisted his choice came down entirely to footballing considerations rather than financial incentives or external pressure.

"I've always based my decisions on sporting considerations, where I believe I'll be able to win, be happy and, above all, develop as a player," he said.

He credited Barcelona's project and personnel specifically for tipping the balance in their favour.

"And that's why I've chosen Barca, also because of the generation of players they have and what Hansi is building there. Ultimately, Deco and Hansi, at the top of the organisation, convinced me," he said.

Rodri admitted turning down Real Madrid weighed heavily on him, describing the choice between two of European football's biggest clubs as genuinely difficult.

"I had to weigh up a lot of things and make such an important decision between two of the best clubs in the world," he said.

"It wasn't an easy decision at all, saying no to Madrid wasn't easy, especially as they treated me exceptionally well," he added.

Part of that treatment included a personal phone call from Real Madrid head coach Jose Mourinho, who had publicly confirmed the pair had spoken during the transfer saga.

Rodri addressed the conversation directly when asked about it.

"I don't think it's really his place to reveal a private conversation, but he clearly expressed his desire for me to join and what I could bring to the team. He treated me very well," he said.

Rodri revealed he had reached out to Mourinho again once his decision was finalised, out of respect for how he had been approached.

"When I made my decision, I also rang him to thank him for his interest and the way he'd treated me. I think he's a brilliant manager," he said.

He also offered praise for Mourinho's managerial pedigree ahead of the coming season. "He's already proved that wherever he's been during his great spells, and Real Madrid are going to be a tough opponent in this La Liga season," he said.

Asked about his connection to Real Madrid presidential candidate Enrique Riquelme, a link that had drawn some speculation during his transfer saga, Rodri distanced himself from any suggestion it influenced his thinking.

"Honestly, I was completely unaware of all this because it happened, if I remember correctly, during the World Cup, and I was focused on helping my national team achieve what is, to this day, the most important milestone I've ever reached," he said.

Beyond the tactical appeal, Rodri also pointed to the welcoming nature of Barcelona's approach throughout negotiations, describing an environment free from pressure or hard selling.

"At no point did they put any pressure on me whatsoever, everyone expressed their desire to have me on board, to work together, and to see what I could bring to the team," he said.

"It was more about the football itself, what they understood I could bring both on and off the pitch, and I really liked that," he added.

Rodri's move also arrived shortly after Real Madrid's widely publicised boycott of the Ballon d'Or ceremony, an event at which the midfielder had triumphed over Vinicius Junior, though he dismissed any suggestion that episode shaped his transfer decision in any way.

"Anyone who knows me knows that I try to distance myself from that sort of thing, like the media hype. I focus on football. In that sense, I'm very English, aren't I? The Premier League is football and little else," he said.