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Mourinho Says Real Madrid Doesn’t Need Rodri

8/20/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho said the club does not need Rodri after Barcelona signed him.
Rodri completed a four-year transfer from Manchester City to Barcelona for €75m (£65.4m) on Tuesday.
Mourinho added Real Madrid cannot have players who think twice about the club.
He claimed the squad already includes quality signings such as Cucurella, Konaté, Dumfries, Silva, Diomande and Carlos Espí.

History

Historical Context

Florentino Pérez launched Real Madrid’s Galáctico era by buying Luís Figo from Barcelona for a world-record €62 million in July 2000, a move that inflamed the El Clásico rivalry and proved that blockbuster fees could dictate club strategy. Decades later, José Mourinho’s rejection of Rodri echoes that same pattern, showing how high-profile transfers still steer Real’s personnel choices.

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Story summary

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho said the club does not need Rodri after Barcelona signed him.
Rodri completed a four-year transfer from Manchester City to Barcelona for €75m (£65.4m) on Tuesday.
Mourinho added Real Madrid cannot have players who think twice about the club.
He claimed the squad already includes quality signings such as Cucurella, Konaté, Dumfries, Silva, Diomande and Carlos Espí.

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