Madrid's Mourinho shrugs off Rodri miss after his move to Barcelona: 'I don't need Rodri'

MADRID (AP) — José Mourinho is confident Real Madrid will be fine without Rodri despite admitting the club made “a very good offer” to try to sign the Spain captain.

Rodri officially signed with Madrid rival Barcelona after a transfer from Manchester City on Tuesday.

Mourinho, back with Madrid for a second stint, said he spoke twice with Rodri as Madrid considered adding the World Cup's best player to its squad, but felt the midfielder didn't seem certain about his future.

“The club contacted him but he had some doubts,” Mourinho said in an interview to TV show ”El Chiringuito" late Tuesday. "What I think happened is that his doubts have created doubts for me. He’s an extraordinary player and was very correct with us. But I think Real Madrid is of such a stature that it can’t have players who think twice about being with the club.”

Just hours before Rodri's signing was made official by Barcelona on Tuesday, Mourinho was officially presented by Madrid in an unusual ceremony closed to the media and fans.

Mourinho, who was hired in June and took over in July at the start of the preseason, downplayed the importance of Rodri to Madrid.

“I don't need Rodri. We have solutions, quality players," Mourinho said, adding that he didn't think Barcelona got the best of Madrid by signing the midfielder. “Victories are won on the field, they are won with titles.”

After a second consecutive season without a major title, the club has bought players such as Marc Cucurella, Ibrahima Konaté, Denzel Dumfries, Bernardo Silva and Yan Diomande.

Mourinho said the club does not intend to make new signings.

“I’m not saying there won’t be any more signings because the market is still open, but if you ask me directly if it's closed (for Madrid), yes, it’s closed,” he said.

Madrid opens in La Liga on Saturday at Espanyol.

See AP’s full soccer coverage here

Real Madrid's head coach Jose Mourinho reacts prior to the friendly soccer match between Ferencvaros TC and Real Madrid in the Groupama Arena in Budapest, Hungary, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026. (Boglarka Bodnar/MTI via AP)

Barcelona's Rodri poses with his jersey during his official presentation at a soccer press conference in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Mardrid's head coach Jose Mourinho shouts, during a pre-season soccer match between FC Schalke 04 and Real Madrid in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, Aug. 16, 2026. (Bernd Thissen/dpa via AP)

BIRMINGHAM, England (AP) — Aston Villa signed U.S.-born Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki from Parma on Wednesday, a transfer that raises doubts about the future of Argentina international Emi Martinez at the Premier League club heading into the new season.

The 23-year-old Suzuki, who was Japan's goalkeeper at the World Cup this summer and made a memorable save onto the post from Brazil star Vinícius Júnior's shot, moved in a deal worth up to 35 million euros ($40 million), The Athletic reported.

Martinez, Argentina's World Cup-winning goalie in 2022, has been first choice for Villa for six years but has been close to leaving for the past two offseasons. Juventus reportedly tried to sign him in recent weeks and Martinez wasn't involved in the UEFA Super Cup loss to Paris Saint-Germain last week.

Suzuki was born in New Jersey, grew up in Urawa, Japan, and moved to Belgium to play for Sint-Truiden in 2023 before joining Parma the following year.

Villa won the Europa League last season and also finished fourth in the Premier League, so will play in the Champions League this season.

With Lucas Digne joining Paris Saint-Germain this offseason, Villa was in the market for a new left back and found one in Matteo Ruggeri.

The 24-year-old Italian joined from Atlético Madrid, having previously played for Atalanta — where he won the Europa League.

Ruggeri has represented Italy at youth levels but hasn't played for the senior team.

He will compete with Ian Maatsen for the left back berth.

Villa's first Premier League match is at Brighton on Sunday.

See AP’s full soccer coverage here

FILE - Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez reacts after Spain had a goal disallowed during the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, File)

FILE - Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki (1) makes a save during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Brazil and Japan in Houston, Monday, June 29, 2026. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)