Report: Conversation with Pep Guardiola convinced Rodri to sign with Barcelona
In Spain, it is claimed that the midfielder spoke with the manager during their time together at Manchester City last season and heard from him that the Catalan club would be a better fit than Real Madrid.
Rodri's future has taken a surprising turn: when it seemed he was on his way to Real Madrid, Barcelona stepped in and managed to close a deal with him. One of the reasons for this, according to Spanish journalist Melchor Ruiz, is a conversation the midfielder had with his former coach Pep Guardiola.
Rodri reportedly asked Guardiola what he would do if he had to choose between Real Madrid and Barcelona.
"When he was at City, he already asked Pep Guardiola during the last season if, under these circumstances, he would recommend him to choose between Madrid and Barcelona," Ruiz said.
According to him, the Catalan coach's answer was quite predictable: "You can certainly imagine what he recommended to him," the journalist said, adding that Guardiola also made it clear to Rodri that "the final decision is yours."
According to the report, this advice had a significant impact on the midfielder's decision, as he believes that Barcelona's style of play is much better suited to the football he has become accustomed to in recent years under Guardiola at Manchester City.
Real Madrid showed great interest in Rodri, but the player believes that Barcelona's philosophy is better suited to his qualities. "He understands that the football played by Barcelona is more similar to what he played at City with Pep Guardiola, that is, the Barcelona school," explained Ruiz.
According to the same report, this is the professional factor that tipped the scales against Real Madrid's offer. It is not just about Hansi Flick, who also contacted the player, but mainly about a style of play that Rodri knows well after years under Guardiola.
