Rodri: Barcelona Can Win Champions League, But We Are Not Favorites Yet
Rodri believes Barcelona can win the Champions League but warns they are not favorites yet. The midfielder also discussed rejecting Real Madrid for Camp Nou.
Rodri has addressed Barcelona's ambitions in the UEFA Champions League, making it clear that while he believes the club can go all the way, they are not yet the outright favorites for the prestigious European trophy. In an interview with Mundo Deportivo, the star midfielder emphasized that the Catalan side still needs to refine several key areas before they can claim the continental crown.
"The Champions League is possible, but I don't think we are the favorites," Rodri stated. "Obviously, I see it as a realistic title for us. It is the final step we need to take to establish ourselves and show Europe the kind of team we are." Despite his belief in the squad's potential, the Spaniard urged caution and perspective regarding the demanding nature of the tournament.
Reflecting on his own experience winning the competition, Rodri explained that the Champions League is not necessarily won by the team with the best overall squad throughout a domestic season. "It's a tournament of moments and the ability to understand those moments. I think that is perhaps the area where this team still has room to improve," he noted, pointing to crucial knockout-stage factors such as discipline, avoiding costly errors, and game management.
Discussing his high-profile transfer from Manchester City to Barcelona, Rodri revealed that he had to choose between two of the world's biggest clubs, with Real Madrid also making a serious push for his signature. The midfielder admitted that rejecting Real Madrid was far from simple, but professional motivations ultimately tipped the scale in favor of Barcelona, largely thanks to the persuasive efforts of Hansi Flick and Deco.
José Mourinho had personally reached out to Rodri in an attempt to lure him to Madrid, detailing his tactical vision for the player. While keeping the specifics of the conversation private, Rodri praised Mourinho's approach and confirmed that he personally called the Portuguese coach afterward to thank him for his interest and professional respect.
