NO WAY, JOSE: Rodri opens up on Mourinho phone call after Barcelona ace rejected Real Madrid

Barcelona new boy Rodri admits he called Jose Mourinho to inform him that he was going to choose the Catalans over Real Madrid upon leaving Manchester City.

The midfielder, who was named the best player at the World Cup in the summer, had long been linked with a return to Spain having left Atletico Madrid for the Premier League back in 2019.

Los Blancos were the team often seen as his most likely destination and Mourinho arrived this summer with the club in the midst of a rebuild. But when Rodri called time on his City stint he chose to move to Barcelona having held talks with both clubs and their managers.

The 30-year-old set Barcelona back £65million with Hansi Flick and Deco proving to be great sellers, but the Spaniard still took the time to inform Mourinho of his decision personally.

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He told Mundo Deportivo: "I would like to have had a more relaxed holiday this summer, but that was not the case. I had to analyse a lot of things and make a big decision between two of the best clubs in the world. In the end, I was guided by sporting aspects, by what excited me a little more and picking where I felt I could win and grow most as a player.

"It wasn't easy at all. Saying no to Madrid is not easy, above all when their behaviour with me was exemplary. In the end, [Barça sporting director] Deco and Hansi convinced me."

On his talks with Mourinho, he added: "I don't want to reveal a private conversation, but evidently he expressed his desire for me to go there and explained what he felt I would bring to the team.

"He was very good with me. When I made the decision, I also called him to thank him for the interest and the way he was with me. He is a great coach, he has demonstrated it across many years, and Real Madrid are going to be a tough rival in the league this season."

Rodri has made an instant impact at Barcelona and Flick's side have won all six of their opening matches - five of those in La Liga - as they sit top of the table aiming to defend their crown. They've scored 26 goals thus far.

October 25 is the date of the first El Clasico of the season with Barcelona hosting Real.