Rodri Hernández says Real Madrid were “exemplary” in their pursuit of him, but he still chose Barcelona over the club he grew up supporting. The midfielder spoke to Spanish radio station COPE last night to explain why he signed for Barça despite Real’s interest.
“I have to say that Real Madrid showed interest from the very first moment, that their behavior was exemplary, and that the proposals were about going for the player,” Rodri said. “I talked to people from there, who conveyed their enthusiasm, how much they wanted me to come over, and that also made my decision more complicated, obviously.”
The Real Madrid Angle
Rodri says Real showed interest from the start. He spoke directly with people at the club who pushed hard for him to join.
He also noted that Real’s behavior was exemplary and that their proposals were about going for the player.
Why Barcelona Won
Rodri’s reasoning comes down to football, not money or sentiment. He says the choice was about where he could grow and contribute most.
“My decision was more about football: where I could grow and contribute most, lead a team full of young guys, and with the way I understand the game,” he said. “There were no sentimental issues, no money issues.”
The midfielder also pointed to the chance to lead a young side. That suggests Barcelona’s project appealed to him, even though Real had shown genuine intent.
What This Means for Both Clubs
Rodri’s honesty is notable. He could have kept the details vague and let the transfer speak for itself. Instead, he named Real’s pursuit directly and praised their approach before explaining why he chose Barcelona.
That combination — praising the club that lost him while rejecting it on football grounds — reads as a clean break. He is not chasing money at Barcelona. He is simply following what he believes is the right path for his development.
Rodri has removed any doubt about his motives. He is not hiding behind sentiment or money. He is making a football call, and he is doing it publicly. That is the kind of clarity that transfers often lack.
Barcelona have a player who wants to lead a young team and play his way. Rodri’s explanation settles the question of why he picked one over the other.
Key Facts From Rodri’s Explanation
- Real Madrid showed interest from the very first moment
- Their behavior was exemplary, according to Rodri
- Proposals were about going for the player
- He talked to people at Real who conveyed their enthusiasm
- His decision was about football, not money or sentiment
Comparing the Two Pursuits
| Transfer Detail | Real Madrid’s Approach | Rodri’s Final Choice |
|---|---|---|
| Interest timeline | From the very first moment | Made his decision more complicated |
| Behavior | Exemplary, per Rodri | Based on football, not money or sentiment |
| Proposal focus | About going for the player | Lead a team full of young guys |
| Enthusiasm | Conveyed by people he spoke to | Chose Barcelona |
Rodri’s explanation settles the question of why he picked one over the other.
See the a run of 16 images at Yahoo Sports.
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