Rodri says he ultimately chooses Barcelona over Real Madrid for “sporting reasons,” detailing what influenced his summer move. He had been considering a return to Spain and talks with both clubs before selecting the Catalan side.
He adds that José Mourinho contacted him during a private phone call and made the case for a transfer to Madrid. Rodri also says Barcelona’s sporting setup—along with coach Hansi Flick and a group of younger players—played a role in his thinking, presenting an environment he believed would support his continued development and future success.
The two outlets agree on the main elements: Rodri is explaining his decision publicly, the choice is between Barcelona and Real Madrid, and Mourinho’s involvement comes through a phone call after Rodri rejects Real Madrid and chooses Barcelona. While the coverage emphasizes different aspects of persuasion (Mourinho’s pitch versus Barcelona’s squad and coaching), both describe the same underlying sequence of events and rationale.
