Mourinho: Rodri hesitation ended Real Madrid move

Jose Mourinho, newly installed as Real Madrid's head coach, revealed on August 19 that a transfer for midfielder Rodri from Manchester City collapsed because the player "hesitated" during negotiations. His comments came just a day after Barcelona officially announced the signing of the Spanish international, ending a protracted saga that saw the player appear close to joining Real Madrid before a dramatic switch to their Clásico rivals.

Rodri, 30, completed a move to Barcelona on August 18 for a reported fee that could reach approximately €76.5 million. The transfer concluded a successful seven-year spell at Manchester City, where he won multiple Premier League titles and the Champions League. He arrives in Catalonia having been named the Golden Ball winner at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where he helped Spain secure a second consecutive major tournament triumph.

Mourinho, speaking to Spanish television program El Chiringuito on the same day he was presented as Real Madrid's coach, explained the club's side of the failed transfer. He stated that Real Madrid made Rodri a "very good offer" and that the club had a good relationship with Manchester City. However, the midfielder's own...