Cucurella reveals attempt to lure Rodri to Madrid

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Cucurella was a part of a summer rebuild at Madrid, with the Spanish international joining Los Blancos for a reported €55m (£47.5m) transfer fee from Chelsea. 

The likes of Yan Diomande, Ibrahima Konate, Denzel Dumfries and Bernardo Silva also moved to the Spanish capital, with Rodri another player linked with a move to Madrid. 

However, Rodri decided against linking up with Jose Mourinho and instead joined Hansi Flick at Barcelona, signing for a reported €76.5m (£65m) from Manchester City. 

Cucurella and Rodri's moves came after helping Spain to the second World Cup crown this summer, with the latter scooping the Golden Ball along the way for his performances. 

Spain is preparing for its first match since beating Argentina in the final, with England its opponent in the first match of its Nations League campaign this Sunday. 

But speaking ahead of the trip to Wembley Stadium, Cucurella said that he openly tried to sway Rodri's decision in an attempt to play alongside him at club level. 

"I don't really like pressuring or influencing team-mates," Cucurella said. "These are personal things.

"It's true that I sent him a subtle message, before the news broke, saying I hoped we'd become team-mates.

"He replied, but didn't give anything away. I'm happy for him [at Barca], though I hope he doesn't have too much success."

Rodri has enjoyed a perfect start to life with Barcelona, helping the Blaugrana begin their LaLiga title defence with seven wins from seven matches so far. 

Only Pau Cubarsi, Eric Garcia, Pedri and Gerard Martin have completed more successful passes in the league for Barcelona than Rodri, while he also ranks third in Flick's squad for tackles won, with eight. 

Barcelona have started a LaLiga season with seven wins in their first seven games for the fourth time, after doing so in 2013-14, 2017-18 and 2024-25, and they already find themselves six points ahead of Madrid in the table. 

Madrid lost its second league game of the season last Saturday, going down 2-1 to city rival Atletico Madrid after Dean Huijsen was sent off early in the second half. 

Mourinho is already coming under pressure early in his second stint in the Madrid dugout, though Cucurella believes his team is more than capable of turning things around. 

"We didn't finish the period before the break in the best way," Cucurella said. "It's all a process, but the important thing is to build a solid foundation.

"Let's see if we can find a good balance and build a strong, united group. If the season ends the way we all want it to, no one will remember the start."