Barcelona blockbuster signing Rodri reveals private phone call with Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho after rejecting Bernabeu transfer

Throughout the transfer window, various external factors threatened to complicate Rodri’s transition. Rumours circulated that his potential links to presidential candidate Enrique Riquelme might have cooled Madrid’s interest, but the midfielder insisted he remained entirely focused on his duties with the Spanish national team at the time.

“Honestly, I lived on the sidelines of all this because it happened, if I remember correctly, in the World Cup and I was focused with my national team on achieving what is today the most important milestone I have achieved,” Rodri stated.