Rodri shines for Barcelona as Real Madrid rue missed transfer opportunity

Real Madrid’s midfield problems have been laid bare after Rodri quickly established himself as a key figure for Barcelona, with the club now six points behind their rivals after seven rounds of La Liga.

While Hansi Flick’s Barcelona have attracted widespread praise for their performances and emphatic victories, Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid have faced sustained criticism. Despite another major investment in the squad, the capital club have failed to convince, with their own supporters among the most vocal critics.

The debate over refereeing decisions at Santiago Bernabeu following the Madrid derby has provided a distraction, according to Catalan newspaper Mundo Deportivo. But the report says Real Madrid’s deeper frustration centres on their failure to sign Rodri.

The club have been without a controlling presence in midfield since Toni Kroos retired in summer 2024 and Luka Modric left for Milan in 2025 after a final season in which he made little impact. There was widespread agreement among Real Madrid supporters that Rodri should be the club’s priority signing last summer.

Despite initial reservations, president Florentino Perez eventually approved an attempt to bring in the former Manchester City midfielder. Mourinho also tried to persuade Rodri to join his project, but Barcelona’s intervention ultimately changed the outcome.

Rodri explained in his most recent interview with Mundo Deportivo that he contacted the Real Madrid manager to thank him for his interest and the way he had treated him, while also informing him that he had chosen Barcelona.

Rather than seek a direct alternative after the deal collapsed, Real Madrid placed their full trust in Bernardo Silva as the solution. However, the Portuguese midfielder does not perform the same role as Rodri. The same applies to Arda Guler, with both players regarded as closer to attacking midfielders.

Rodri’s impact has been particularly striking given how little time he has spent at Barcelona. The Madrid-born midfielder, who quickly felt at home after meeting half of the Spain squad, has become the team’s guide alongside Pedri.

At the end of last season, Flick asked for experienced players in every position, and Rodri was viewed as the ideal option. In only six matches, he has become the Madrid-born leader who dictates Barcelona’s style of play.

He can support the two centre-backs as they build attacks from the back, offer midfielders an outlet when they are under pressure and track back to prevent clear scoring opportunities. He demonstrated the latter quality at the weekend at Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan against Sevilla.

Mundo Deportivo concluded: “In Madrid, they are tearing their hair out at being unable to convince Rodri to sign, while in Barcelona he is already an idol for the supporters and his arrival is being celebrated twice over.”