Sports
Rodri: Saying No To Real Madrid Was Not Easy
Rodri explained how tough it was to decline Real Madrid as he opened up on his decision to join Barcelona.
The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner joined Barca from Manchester City this summer.
Rodri was superb in Spain’s successful World Cup campaign, and he has slotted into a Barca team that have started the season in remarkable fashion.
Hansi Flick’s side have won all five of their matches, plundering 26 goals.
However, Rodri might well have ended up at Barca’s rivals, Madrid, but he chose to turn down Los Blancos.
“I would like to have had a more relaxed holiday this summer, but that was not the case,” Rodri told Mundo Deportivo.
“I had to analyse a lot of things and make a big decision between two of the best clubs in the world. In the end, I was guided by sporting aspects, by what excited me a little more and picking where I felt I could win and grow most as a player.
“It wasn’t easy at all. Saying no to Madrid is not easy, above all when their behaviour with me was exemplary. In the end, [Barca sporting director] Deco and Hansi convinced me.”
Jose Mourinho previously claimed he sensed doubts in Rodri’s commitment to joining Madrid, and that is why the proposRodri: Saying No To Real Madrid Was Not Easy
Rodri explained how tough it was to decline Real Madrid as he opened up on his decision to join Barcelona.
The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner joined Barca from Manchester City this summer.
Rodri was superb in Spain’s successful World Cup campaign, and he has slotted into a Barca team that have started the season in remarkable fashion.
Hansi Flick’s side have won all five of their matches, plundering 26 goals.
However, Rodri might well have ended up at Barca’s rivals, Madrid, but he chose to turn down Los Blancos.
“I would like to have had a more relaxed holiday this summer, but that was not the case,” Rodri told Mundo Deportivo.
“I had to analyse a lot of things and make a big decision between two of the best clubs in the world. In the end, I was guided by sporting aspects, by what excited me a little more and picking where I felt I could win and grow most as a player.
“It wasn’t easy at all. Saying no to Madrid is not easy, above all when their behaviour with me was exemplary. In the end, [Barca sporting director] Deco and Hansi convinced me.”
Jose Mourinho previously claimed he sensed doubts in Rodri’s commitment to joining Madrid, and that is why the proposed transfer broke down.
Rodri, who has now ticked beyond 100 LaLiga appearances, explained he spoke with Mourinho once his mind was made up.
“I don’t want to reveal a private conversation, but evidently he expressed his desire for me to go there and explained what he felt I would bring to the team.
“He was very good with me. When I made the decision, I also called him to thank him for the interest and the way he was with me.
“He is a great coach, he has demonstrated it across many years, and Real Madrid are going to be a tough rival in the league this season.”ed transfer broke down.
Rodri, who has now ticked beyond 100 LaLiga appearances, explained he spoke with Mourinho once his mind was made up.
“I don’t want to reveal a private conversation, but evidently he expressed his desire for me to go there and explained what he felt I would bring to the team.
“He was very good with me. When I made the decision, I also called him to thank him for the interest and the way he was with me.
“He is a great coach, he has demonstrated it across many years, and Real Madrid are going to be a tough rival in the league this season.”
Sports
Forget it, I Won’t Apologise To Ronaldo — Jorge Jesus
Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus has made it clear he will not apologise to Cristiano Ronaldo amid their ongoing rift.
Speaking after Portugal’s Nations League victory over Norway, Jesus was asked whether he owed the five-time Ballon d’Or winner an apology following the events that led to Ronaldo’s abrupt departure from the national team camp.
Jesus remained adamant that he did not owe anyone an apology, despite calls from the likes of Rio Ferdinand and others in the Ronaldo camp, to do so.
“I take responsibility for the decision and for what happened,” Jesus said.
“But apologise for what? To whom? That is a lie. Apologise for what? What was there to apologise for?”
The 72-year-old was even more direct in another exchange, declaring: “I don’t apologise to anyone.”
The dispute erupted after Ronaldo was left as an unused substitute against Norway despite being sent out to warm up for a significant period.
The Al-Nassr striker later left the camp and has not featured since.
Jesus insisted his decisions as coach are non-negotiable and that the priority was the team’s results.
He did, however, leave the door open for Ronaldo’s return, stating the veteran would be called up for the next international window if he is playing regularly for Al-Nassr and wishes to come back.
“It’s his decision,” Jesus added.
“You can’t break up a year-long friendship over a situation that is difficult to understand.”
The firm stance from the Portugal coach suggests any reconciliation will depend more on Ronaldo’s willingness to move past the episode than any public apology.
Portugal return to Nations League action in November with games against Denmark and Wales.
Sports
Former Aston Villa Striker Agbonlahor Claims Rooney Is Better Than Kane
Former Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor has said Wayne Rooney was better than Harry Kane.
Discussing the comparison between the two, Agbonlahor said: “I really like Wayne Rooney. It’s a different era, isn’t it? But for me, Rooney still edges Kane.”
Agbonlahor continued: “Everyone has different opinions, the new generation will pick Kane, but I would pick Rooney. It’s easy for people to forget how good he was. I love everything about Rooney, he was fearless. We used to play against him, and he would absolutely go for you.
“I remember once, the referee dropped the ball for a 50-50 challenge. It was against Dawson of Hull City, and Rooney went into him so hard.
“Rooney could do everything, he was faster than you’d think. He could run from deep, and he could play as a number 10. Look at some of the goals he scored, like the one from near the halfway line when he returned to Everton.”
Sports
2028 OlympicsQ: Omenazu Earns First Super Falcons Call-Up For Comoros Clash
MK Dons Women captain Favour Omenazu has received a late invitation to join the Super Falcons squad for Nigeria’s 2028 Olympic Games qualifying double-header against Comoros.
Interim head coach Augustine Eguavoen called up the versatile midfielder following the withdrawal of some of the players initially invited for the second-round qualifying fixture.
The call-up marks the first time the 24-year-old has been selected to represent the Super Falcons.
Omenazu was eligible to play for both England and Nigeria but has opted to represent the 10-time African champions at international level.
MK Dons have congratulated their women’s captain on earning her maiden international call-up.
“We are all incredibly proud of #MKDonsWomen’s captain, Favour Omenazu, who has received her first international call-up to represent Nigeria’s Super Falcons,” the club said in a post on X.
“Favour has been selected for Nigeria’s upcoming 2028 Olympic qualifying double-header against Comoros on Friday 9th and Tuesday 13th October.
“Go and smash it, Favour we know you will “
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