📷 L'ÉquipeRodri explains to Real Madrid why he chose Barcelona
The World Cup winner justified his rejection of Madrid to the club's executives with three reasons: Barça's style, Guardiola's legacy, and his connection with the squad.
According to As, Rodri told Real Madrid the reasons behind his decision to join Barcelona this summer, when both clubs were competing for his services. The midfielder was always «extremely respectful» in his conversation with Madrid's board.
The 2024 Ballon d'Or winner gave three key reasons. First, he prefers Barça's playing style; moreover, he values the legacy left by Pep Guardiola, his manager at Manchester City. Third, he feels a stronger connection with Barcelona's players.
Barça sealed the deal by leveraging the contact during the World Cup won by Spain on July 19 — eight Spanish internationals from Barça were part of the La Roja squad. Meanwhile, Madrid worried about potential friction between Rodri and Vinicius, the Brazilian winger who lost the Ballon d'Or vote by just a few votes.
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