Barcelona midfielder Rodri has revealed he called José Mourinho this summer after taking the difficult decision to turn down Real Madrid in favour of a move to their Clásico rivals.
Rodri, 30, swapped Manchester City for Barça in a deal worth an initial €60 million ($69.2m) after seven years in England.
The Spain international was also wanted by Madrid, but he opted for Barça after talking with the managers of both clubs, Hansi Flick and Mourinho.
“I would like to have had a more relaxed holiday this summer, but that was not the case,” Rodri said in an interview with Mundo Deportivo.
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“I had to analyse a lot of things and make a big decision between two of the best clubs in the world. In the end, I was guided by sporting aspects, by what excited me a little more and picking where I felt I could win and grow most as a player.
“It wasn’t easy at all. Saying no to Madrid is not easy, above all when their behaviour with me was exemplary. In the end, [Barça sporting director] Deco and Hansi convinced me.”
Pressed on his talks with Mourinho, he added: “I don’t want to reveal a private conversation, but evidently he expressed his desire for me to go there and explained what he felt I would bring to the team.
“He was very good with me. When I made the decision, I also called him to thank him for the interest and the way he was with me.
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“He is a great coach, he has demonstrated it across many years, and Real Madrid are going to be a tough rival in the league this season.”
Rodri has settled into the Barça team quickly, with Flick’s side winning all six of their opening matches — five in LaLiga and one in the Champions League — scoring 26 goals in the process.
Barça hope his know-how will help the team take steps forward in Europe as they look to build on back-to-back LaLiga titles by ending an 11-year wait to win the Champions League.
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“I can contribute in different areas,” Rodri said. “If we’re talking about experience and leadership, I think I can add a lot to a group of players that is quite young and maybe haven’t faced certain situations as much as I have.
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“And from a footballing perspective, I am here to adapt to the team. It is already a team that works well, we have seen that they’re winners already, and I want to add to that and play to my strengths.
“One of the first things Hansi told me was about having a desire to improve day by day, to be non-conformist, to never relax, to never believe you’ve reached your limit and to always demand more.
“That is what will lead you to success sooner or later. I believe that Barça have that room for improvement to achieve the kind of excellence that can lead to winning major European titles, having already done so in Spain.”
