Speaking in an interview with Mundo Deportivo, Spain's captain explained that weighing up two of the world's biggest clubs was far from straightforward, but that his decision ultimately came down to where he felt he could win and develop most as a player.
"There were a lot of things to analyse, and making such an important decision between two of the best clubs in the world wasn't easy," Rodri said. "In the end I made a footballing decision, based on what excited me a little more and where I felt I could win and grow more as a player.
"It wasn't an easy decision at all - saying no to Madrid isn't easy, especially given how exemplary their conduct was with me."
The midfielder, who joined from Manchester City for a reported €60 million on a contract until 2030, also had warm words for José Mourinho, who personally called him to make his interest known.
"The way I was treated was very good," Rodri said. "When I made my decision, I called him too, to thank him for his interest and how I'd been treated. I think he's a fantastic coach, he's already shown that everywhere he's gone in his major spells, and Real Madrid are going to be a tough rival in this league."
Rodri pointed to sporting director Deco and head coach Hansi Flick as key figures in persuading him to move to Camp Nou, praising the natural, unhurried way Barcelona approached the negotiation compared to the alternative on the table.
"I really liked the way Barça treated me, and that they didn't come with that anxiety," he said. "Above all, the naturalness with which they let me know. It felt very familiar, like a family club, and that appealed to me a lot. It wasn't about trying to convince you with numbers, no. It was more of a footballing matter, about what they understood I could bring on and off the pitch."
The Spain international's arrival was one of the standout deals of the summer, with Barcelona moving decisively to beat Real Madrid to his signature after months of speculation over his future at the Etihad Stadium. Rodri's move completes a significant overhaul of Flick's midfield options ahead of a season in which Barcelona will aim to challenge on all fronts.
Rodri, the 2024 Ballon d'Or winner, spent seven years at Manchester City, where he won every major honour available to him, including the Champions League. His decision to leave English football's dominant force for a rebuild at Camp Nou, rather than join Mourinho's project at the Santiago Bernabéu, was seen as a significant statement of intent from Barcelona's hierarchy as they look to reassert themselves domestically and in Europe.