A signing that stings in Madrid
Rodri is now officially a FC Barcelona player. The Spanish midfielder was presented on Tuesday night in Catalonia and the crowd greeted him like a star. Hansi Flick gets a player who changes the balance in the middle of the park.
It was a political swipe too. The Blaugrana have nicked the player right from under Real Madrid’s nose. Jose Mourinho himself confirmed Madrid’s interest in the MVP from the last World Cup.
On the Catalan side, Deco rejected that version. “We did not sign him from Madrid,” the sporting director cut in.
no renewal
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A studio claim, and why it lands
A different story is doing the rounds in Madrid. On the El Chiringuito de Jugones set, journalist Quim Domenech claimed Bernardo Silva was not happy about Rodri’s arrival.
That claim should be taken for what it is: a studio comment, not backed up by the club or the players involved. Still, it does make sense on paper.
According to Domenech, the two men were not exactly best mates at Manchester City. Their relationship is said to have worsened towards the end of their time together with the Citizens.
A file that leaves scars
Real Madrid let a player slip through their fingers, despite their manager admitting he had tracked him. Mourinho has already explained in public why he never pushed to sign him.
Then there is the dressing-room question. If Domenech’s account is accurate, it means the view of a senior figure carried weight in a deal at this level of money. That is not small potatoes at a club where the internal pecking order often ends up making headlines.
Rodri, meanwhile, is set for a season in the shirt of their great rivals. The first Clasicos will tell us what to make of this summer.
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