Report – How Rodri’s move to Barcelona took shape during the World Cup | OneFootball

On Thursday, Manchester City and Spain midfield superstar Rodri made th decision to reject Real Madrid in favour of FC Barcelona.

The Manchester City midfielder’s decision to turn down Florentino Perez’s project under Jose Mourinho has come as a surprise to many, particularly after it had emerged that personal terms were already agreed.

However, Rodri now sees Hansi Flick’s Barça project as the more attractive destination for himself.

Now, according to SPORT, the change of heart was not the result of a last-minute disagreement or a breakdown in negotiations with Real Madrid or Manchester City.

It was not sparked by unresolved contract details or promises that failed to materialise.

Coming to Barcelona. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

Instead, Rodri had been seriously reflecting on his future for several weeks before making his decision.

Quiet conversations during the World Cup

According to several Barcelona players who shared the dressing room with Rodri during the recent World Cup, the midfielder privately approached them on multiple occasions to learn more about life inside the Barça squad.

The conversations were kept discreet, but Rodri was keen to understand how the dressing room functions on a daily basis, what the coaching staff is like and what the atmosphere around the team has been over the past two seasons.

In some of those discussions, he even went a step further, revealing that he was seriously considering a return to La Liga.

One topic that particularly interested him was how he would be received in such a young Barcelona squad, with so many academy graduates playing key roles under Flick.

Rodri spoke with Barcelona’s Spanish contingent during the World Cup. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Looking back at how events have unfolded, it is clear those conversations left a strong impression on the Spanish international.

World Cup performances erased any doubts

Rodri’s outstanding displays during the closing stages of Spain’s World Cup triumph also helped remove any lingering concerns about his physical condition that Barcelona may have had.

After dealing with injury problems over recent months, the midfielder finished the tournament looking back to his very best, earning widespread praise for his performances.

The player himself has made it clear that he feels fully fit and believes he is ready to embrace a new challenge at the highest level over the coming years.

With contract agreed with the Catalans, the 30-year-old Golden Ball winner is now waiting for Barcelona and Manchester City to finalise an agreement.