Courtois and Mourinho Respond to Rodri's Decision
Thibaut Courtois has never been one to hide behind clichés, and he didn’t start now.
Fresh from Real Madrid’s dramatic win over Espanyol, the 34-year-old goalkeeper was asked about Rodri’s decision to turn down Los Blancos and sign for Barcelona instead. The response was as sharp as one of his saves.
“Every player chooses where they want to be. If he didn't want to be with us, well, that's a pity... for him,” Courtois said. “In the end, he's a great player, but he made his choice, and that's it.”
No dressing it up. No olive branch. Just a clear line drawn between Madrid and the midfielder who opted for the other side of the divide.
The backdrop only added to the drama. The 2024 Ballon d'Or winner was reportedly staying in the same hotel as the Real Madrid squad in Catalonia on the eve of their clash with Espanyol. If that suggested any lingering flirtation with Madrid, Courtois batted it away with a shrug.
“He stays in our hotel? Well, the hotel is big, there will be many people there,” he added, brushing off any hint of intrigue.
Mourinho lays out why the deal died
While Courtois framed it as Rodri’s choice, Jose Mourinho went deeper into why the move never materialised from Madrid’s side.
The new Real Madrid boss confirmed the club pushed hard, speaking openly about the talks and making it clear this was not a case of Madrid being slow or hesitant. The doubts, he said, came from the player.
“I spoke to him a couple of times and Real Madrid made him a very good offer,” Mourinho explained. “I think there is a very good relationship with City. Without negotiating with City, the club made contact with Rodri, they made him a major offer. Rodri had doubts, he hesitated and Rodri’s doubts created doubts for me.”
That line tells the story. At Madrid, hesitation is a red flag. Mourinho underlined that the club’s prestige means they will not wait around for anyone who is not fully convinced from the first call.
For him, uncertainty from a target is enough to close the door.
“I am not lacking Rodri”
If Rodri’s choice stung some in the fanbase, Mourinho refused to sound like a coach left short-changed.
Asked directly whether missing out on the midfielder left Madrid light in the middle of the pitch, he cut the question down quickly.
“I am not lacking Rodri,” he stated firmly. “We are not lacking players. I’m not saying there won’t be any more signings because the market is open, but if you ask me directly if it’s closed for me… yes. It is closed. I really like the squad.”
That is Mourinho at his most definitive: no public pining, no suggestion of weakness, no hint that Barcelona’s latest signing has forced Madrid into a rethink.
Rodri chose Barcelona. Courtois and Mourinho made it equally clear: Real Madrid have already moved on.
