Luis de la Fuente, the manager of Spain, has disclosed that there were times he suspected Rodri might leave Manchester City for Real Madrid before eventually moving to Barcelona.
In an interview with COPE, De la Fuente noted that his strong ties with Rodri and the information from the midfielder’s camp kept him informed about the evolving transfer scenario.
“There were moments when I thought that Rodri was going to join Real Madrid. I have a very good relationship with him, so I knew where things were going,”
De la Fuente elaborated.
Softfootball reports that Real Madrid was anticipated to pursue Rodri following his notable comeback from injury and his impressive displays for the national side. However, it was Barcelona that ultimately secured his return to La Liga.
De la Fuente expressed his satisfaction with Rodri’s return to Spanish football, highlighting the midfielder’s significance for the national team and the increased recognition experienced by Spanish players.
These remarks followed an eventful weekend in La Liga, during which Atlético Madrid triumphed over Real Madrid 2-1 in a tense Madrid derby.
The match saw a pivotal moment early in the second half when Dean Huijsen received a red card following a VAR review for bringing down Giuliano Simeone in the penalty area. Alejandro Grimaldo successfully converted the penalty, giving Atlético the lead, which Jonathan David later extended.
Antonio Rüdiger managed to score for Real Madrid in the dying minutes, but Atlético held on to secure all three points.
The derby sparked significant debate regarding officiating, with De la Fuente subsequently acknowledging that referees can make errors while still supporting the general quality of Spanish referees.
