Breaking: Rodri reveals new details on why he didn't join Real Madrid! Here is a complete narrative rewrite in English that differs entirely in form f

Rodri has offered a glimpse into a career path that could have looked very different. In an interview with COPE, the Barcelona midfielder looked back on the efforts Real Madrid made to bring him to the Spanish capital.

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Rodri discusses additional details

The Spaniard confirmed that the Madrid club went as far as holding direct talks with him and pushed seriously to get a deal over the line. By his own account, the proposal they put forward made his final choice anything but easy.

"Real Madrid really tried hard," Rodri told COPE. "They wanted to sign me, we had direct talks and they came with everything they had to make it happen." He went on to admit the weight of the approach, saying, "They made my decision difficult. I am grateful." When the subject turned to whether he had spoken personally with Florentino Pérez, however, the midfielder chose to keep his cards close to his chest: "Speaking with Florentino Pérez too? I am not gonna say that."

So while Rodri left no doubt about Madrid's interest and the direct negotiations that took place, he deliberately stopped short of revealing whether a conversation with the club president ever happened. In the end, it was Barcelona — not Madrid — that secured his signature.

Rodri, it is worth remembering, wears the No. 16 shirt at Barcelona. The Spanish midfielder was crowned Ballon d'Or winner in 2024 and scored the goal that won Manchester City the 2023 Champions League final.

Hazem Mlhem |

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Hazem Mlhem est un rédacteur sportif expérimenté, animé par une passion pour le football africain.

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