Courtois Responds to Rodri's Decision to Join Barcelona
Thibaut Courtois has never been one to sugar-coat his words. Faced with questions about Rodri’s decision to turn down Real Madrid and join Barcelona instead, the 34-year-old goalkeeper delivered a pointed response that left little room for interpretation.
“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 after Real Madrid’s dramatic win over Espanyol. “In the end, he's a great player, but he made his choice, and that's it.”
No attempt to dress it up. No olive branch. Just a blunt reminder that, in his eyes, walking away from Madrid is the real loss.
The backdrop only adds spice. The 2024 Ballon d'Or winner was reportedly staying at the same hotel as the Real Madrid squad in Catalonia on the eve of their clash with Espanyol. The kind of detail that fuels headlines and dressing-room chatter alike.
Courtois, though, refused to be drawn into the theatre of it.
“He stays in our hotel? Well, the hotel is big, there will be many people there,” he added, brushing aside any suggestion of drama in the corridors or lobby.
While Courtois framed it as a player simply choosing another path, Jose Mourinho went deeper into why Rodri never ended up in white. The new Real Madrid boss confirmed that the club had pushed hard, but that the midfielder’s hesitation ultimately killed the deal.
“I spoke to him a couple of times and Real Madrid made him a very good offer,” Mourinho revealed. “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 was the turning point. Once the player hesitated, Mourinho backed away. For a coach who thrives on conviction and commitment, uncertainty from a potential signing was never going to sit well.
The message from the Portuguese coach was as sharp as Courtois’ comments, but aimed in a different direction: Real Madrid, he insisted, do not beg.
For those wondering if missing out on Rodri leaves Madrid light in midfield, Mourinho shut that down too. He made it clear he is looking inward, not pining for what might have been.
“I am not lacking Rodri,” he said 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.”
So the lines are drawn. Rodri has chosen Barcelona. Courtois has framed it as the player’s loss. Mourinho has moved on, doubling down on the group he already has.
The season will decide who was right.
