Rodri: Barcelona move came after accepting Manchester City chapter had ended

Rodri says he once expected to finish his career at Manchester City, but decided a new challenge was the right step before joining Barcelona from the Premier League club last summer.

The 30-year-old midfielder told Mundo Deportivo that his decision was driven by the desire to keep competing for major honours and by Barcelona’s sporting project.

“I always thought I would finish my career at Manchester City because that club gave me everything,” Rodri said. “I was happy there and experienced what I believe was one of the best generations in the history of English football, so I never considered leaving because of my situation there.

“But I also understood that the club was going through a major change. Many new players arrived, a new era began and I realised there was a possibility that my time there could come to an end. After the World Cup, you start thinking about it more and reach the conclusion that experiencing something else might be better.”

Rodri said he needed fresh challenges after achieving so much at Manchester City.

“I needed new challenges,” he added. “When you understand that you have achieved everything somewhere and want to continue doing great things elsewhere, with the necessary resources and people who know me, they understand that my decisions have always been linked to the sporting project and my ambition to keep winning. For me, Barcelona represents that now.”

He admitted that choosing between Barcelona and Real Madrid would not normally be straightforward, but said the hardest part was accepting that his Manchester City career had reached its conclusion.

“Choosing between two very big clubs is obviously not easy,” Rodri said. “But the difficult decision for me was understanding that my time in Manchester was over. Saying yes to a club with Barcelona’s history, everything it means, what attracts me to it football-wise and everything it represents was not difficult.”

Rodri also described a conversation with Jose Mourinho during the transfer process, although he said he would not reveal details of their private discussion.

“I do not think it is right to disclose a private conversation,” he said. “But he obviously expressed his desire for me to join and explained what I could bring to the team. I was treated very well and, when I made my decision, I called him to thank him for his interest and the way he dealt with me.

“I see him as a great manager. He has proved that everywhere he has worked and during the major stages of his career. Real Madrid will be a difficult opponent in this league.”

Rodri said Barcelona’s long wait for the Champions League would provide motivation, despite the club not being among the leading favourites.

“I cannot deny that the Champions League is the trophy this club has wanted for a long time,” he said. “We have the ability to win it and I have no doubt about that, although we understand we are not the main favourites because the club has not won it for 11 years. We must build step by step and show the world that we can do it.”

On Barcelona supporting Lamine Yamal for the Ballon d’Or, Rodri said individual awards were decided by 100 journalists and were not entirely within a player’s control.

“I have always said that I play and compete to win team trophies,” he said. “The club chose to support Lamine because they believe he deserves it, and that is legitimate. I hope a Spanish player wins it. Spanish football should be recognised again, because winning the World Cup is the greatest achievement possible.”

Rodri added that he had no intention of changing his limited use of social media, saying he had never needed it and was fortunate to have good people around him.

He finished by saying he had been deeply affected by Barcelona’s welcome and the affection shown by the supporters. “I came here to give everything I have and make them happier,” he said.