Rodri says refereeing mistakes cannot decide a 38-match league

Rodri says refereeing errors must not be used to determine the outcome of a 38-match league season, while defending officials after the controversy surrounding the latest Atletico de Madrid and Real Madrid derby.

The Spain captain also revealed that Real Madrid made a serious attempt to sign him during the previous summer transfer window, saying the club’s approach made his eventual decision to join Barcelona more difficult.

Rodri was speaking in an exclusive interview with broadcaster Juanma Castano on El Partidazo de COPE from the Spain camp. The programme’s interview was due to be broadcast in full on 23 September 2026.

Asked about the possibility of moving to Real Madrid in the summer, Rodri acknowledged the strength of the club’s interest and praised the way it conducted its pursuit.

“Real Madrid showed a great deal of interest in me from the beginning, and they handled everything perfectly,” he said. “They did everything they could to sign me. I spoke to people there who conveyed their enthusiasm and their strong desire for me to join them, and that made my final decision more difficult.”

Rodri is now one of the most prominent players in world football following his high-profile move to Barcelona. His name has also been associated with the Ballon d’Or, another subject discussed during the interview, alongside the negotiations with Real Madrid and his future.

Rodri backs officials after derby debate

The Spain captain was also asked about the major refereeing debate that followed the most recent meeting between Atletico de Madrid and Real Madrid.

He said he was uncertain whether Cuti could have withdrawn his leg during the incident involving Kang-In Lee, but felt the challenge warranted the strongest punishment.

“I do not know whether Cuti could have pulled his leg away or not, but the foul he committed against Kang-In Lee definitely deserved a red card,” Rodri said.

However, he rejected the wider suggestion that refereeing decisions could determine the title across an entire campaign.

“Putting that incident to one side, referees can make mistakes in one match, but those mistakes cannot be compared with a complete season of 38 matches,” he said. “Saying that referees want Barcelona to win the league damages football a great deal.”

Rodri ended with an appeal for supporters to show greater restraint when defending their teams.

“There is nothing wrong with supporting your club and defending it, but only up to a certain point,” he said. “In the end, we are all human and we make mistakes.”