According to a report by Madrid Universal on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, former Real Madrid captain Dani Carvajal has revealed that he personally attempted to convince Rodri to join Los Blancos before the Spanish midfielder completed his move from Manchester City to Barcelona.

Real Madrid were keen to strengthen their midfield with the Spain international, but their efforts ultimately failed as the player chose to join their fierce rivals.

Carvajal discussed the transfer saga during an appearance on Cadena SER’s El Larguero, confirming that he spoke directly with Rodri and tried to persuade him to move to the Santiago Bernabeu.

“I spoke to him and tried to convince him. I imagine there were others pushing him from the other side,” Carvajal explained.

The former Madrid captain acknowledged that Rodri had his own reasons for choosing Barcelona. He also praised the midfielder’s exceptional quality, admitting that his arrival would have strengthened any team.

Rodri reportedly appreciated Real Madrid’s interest and admitted that their approach made his decision particularly difficult. However, the Spanish international eventually chose Barcelona, forcing Madrid to consider other options rather than pursue another midfielder.

Real Madrid made significant efforts to secure his signature, with manager Jose Mourinho also holding direct discussions with the player during negotiations. Mourinho later suggested that Rodri’s uncertainty had prompted him to reconsider the potential transfer.

The Portuguese coach maintained that Madrid needed players who were fully committed to representing the club, despite recognising Rodri’s outstanding abilities.

Missing out on the midfielder was a disappointment for Los Blancos, as his composure on the ball, positional awareness and defensive intelligence would have added valuable qualities to their midfield.

Nevertheless, Madrid’s recent Clasico victory demonstrated their ability to compete against elite opponents without him. Aurelien Tchouameni and Bernardo Silva helped the team gain an advantage over Barcelona’s midfield, which included Rodri.

Although the Spanish midfielder would have been a valuable addition, Madrid must now concentrate on the options already available to them. Mourinho’s ability to develop tactical solutions could prove crucial as the season progresses.