Mourinho: Rodri would have been the "icing on the cake" for my Real Madrid
Mourinho praised Rodri but said Real already has enough midfield options ahead of the La Liga opener.
Real Madrid coach José Mourinho admitted that signing 30-year-old Rodri Hernandez would have been "the icing on the cake" for his squad, while stressing that his midfield group is already strong ahead of the new La Liga season opener against Espanyol. Mourinho made the remarks in a statement given on 21.08.2026 14:50 before the club's first match of the campaign.
On being asked whether the team lacked midfielders he answered directly: "I don't think we have a deficit in midfield. Then one could ask: If you don't have a deficit, why did you want to sign Rodri? Rodri would be like the icing on the cake. He is an excellent player, with huge experience and high status. If you can have him, then take him to improve."
Despite the praise, Mourinho was quick to underline that he is satisfied with the options already at his disposal. He listed the central players he plans to rely on this season: Aurélien Tchouaméni, Eduardo Camavinga, Federico Valverde, Bernardo Silva and Arda Guler.
According to Mourinho, those names give the team sufficient cover in key midfield roles and there is no urgent need to recruit another central midfielder. He stressed that the squad possesses the quality necessary to face the season's challenges.
Real Madrid reportedly made a serious attempt to bring Rodri to the club during the summer transfer window, but the 30-year-old ultimately preferred Barcelona's offer and the move did not materialize for the Madrid side.
Mourinho's comments close a chapter of intense summer speculation over midfield reinforcements and shift the focus back to the opening La Liga fixture against Espanyol, where the manager will test the group he described as sufficiently equipped for the season ahead.
Photo: FK Real Madrid\/Fejsbuk
