Marc Cucurella disclosed that he subtly encouraged Rodri to join him at Real Madrid this summer, but the midfielder chose to go to their fierce rivals, Barcelona, instead.
Cucurella joined Madrid as part of a summer transformation, arriving from Chelsea for a reported fee of €55 million (£47.5 million).
Other notable signings included Yan Diomande, Ibrahima Konate, Denzel Dumfries, and Bernardo Silva, with Rodri also a potential target for Madrid.
However, Rodri decided to reunite with Hansi Flick at Barcelona, transferring for around €76.5 million (£65 million) from Manchester City.
Both players’ transfers followed their contribution to Spain winning the World Cup, with Rodri receiving the Golden Ball for his outstanding performances.
Spain is gearing up for their first match since defeating Argentina in the final, facing England in the opening game of their Nations League campaign this Saturday.
Before their match at Wembley, Cucurella mentioned that he had tried to influence Rodri’s decision in hopes of playing together at the club level.
“I don’t like to pressure or influence my teammates,” Cucurella stated. “These are personal choices.”
“I did send him a subtle message prior to the news, expressing my hope that we could be teammates. He replied but kept his cards close to his chest. I’m pleased for him at Barcelona, though I wish for limited success for him there.”
Rodri sets the tempo pic.twitter.com/MUwklwIiDr
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 18, 2026
Rodri has made an impressive start at Barcelona, contributing to the team’s perfect record with seven consecutive wins in LaLiga.
He ranks fifth in successful passes for Barcelona, only behind Pau Cubarsi, Eric Garcia, Pedri, and Gerard Martin, and is third on the squad for tackles won.
This marks the fourth instance where Barcelona has won their first seven matches in a LaLiga season, previously achieving this in 2013-14, 2017-18, and 2024-25, placing them six points ahead of Madrid in the standings.
Meanwhile, Madrid faced defeat against local rivals Atletico Madrid last Sunday, losing 2-1, which has put early pressure on Mourinho in his second term at the club.
Cucurella believes the team can rebound, stating, “We didn’t end the last period in the strongest way. It’s a process, but establishing a strong foundation is crucial.”
“We need to find the right balance and build a cohesive team. If the season concludes positively, the rocky start will be forgotten.”
Fan Take: This news is significant for soccer fans as it highlights the ongoing drama and rivalries within LaLiga, particularly between Madrid and Barcelona. The choices made by these players could influence their respective teams’ fortunes and shape the league’s dynamics this season.
Source: www.soccernews.com
