Rodri explains why he rejected Real Madrid and chose Barcelona

Barcelona midfielder Rodri has revealed the reasons behind his decision to join the Catalan club and reject Real Madrid's offer, emphasizing that his choice was primarily based on sporting considerations. He felt Barcelona's project offered him a greater opportunity to continue developing and achieving success in the next stage of his career. The 30-year-old Rodri told the Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo in a lengthy interview that his move to Barcelona wasn't a sudden decision, but rather the result of a process of reflection that began when he felt his time at Manchester City had come to an end and he wanted a new challenge to continue building his career elsewhere. The Spanish midfielder explained: "It was more of a process than a decision. First, I had to understand that my time at Manchester City was over and that I wanted to take on a new challenge and continue building my career. I thank Manchester City for everything they gave me; it was seven unforgettable years, both personally and professionally." He added: "When the opportunity with Barcelona arose, I knew it was the best option for me for many reasons." “I’ve always based my decisions on the sporting aspect, on where I believe I’ll be able to win and feel happy, and most importantly, where I can develop as a player. That’s why I chose Barcelona, ​​along with the exceptional generation of players we have now and what Hansi Flick is building.” Rodri confirmed that interest from Real Madrid made the decision even more difficult, noting that rejecting the Royal Club wasn’t easy, especially given the exemplary way Real Madrid officials treated him during negotiations . He said, “I had hoped for a quiet two or three-week break, but it wasn’t at all. We had to analyze many things and make a very important decision regarding two of the best clubs in the world. In the end, I made my decision based on the sporting aspect, what I felt most motivated, and where I could achieve victories and develop further as a player.” He continued, “It wasn’t an easy decision at all. Saying no to Real Madrid isn’t easy, especially since they treated me so perfectly. In the end, Deco, Hansi Flick, and the project presented by the Barcelona management convinced me.” Rodri revealed that Barcelona's approach to him was one of the important factors that led him to choose the Catalan club, explaining that the club's officials did not put any pressure on him, but rather conveyed to him their desire to sign him and their belief in his ability to contribute to the team .