Rodri Apologizes to Valencia Squad After Controversial Remarks

Rodri says he has apologised to the entire Valencia squad after being caught on camera apparently describing the struggling La Liga side as “very weak”.

The Barcelona midfielder was filmed on the bench during Sunday’s 5-0 win at Mestalla, speaking with team-mates Pau Cubarsi and Raphinha after being substituted. Broadcaster Movistar later claimed to have lip-read the 30-year-old telling them: “They’re really weak. They haven’t got past the halfway line.”

Valencia, rooted to the bottom of the table with no wins from their first four league games, hardly needed another blow. The clip spread quickly, and with it came anger from fans and criticism in sections of the Spanish media, who accused the Spain star of disrespect.

Rodri, winner of the Golden Ball as Spain lifted the 2026 World Cup, moved to limit the damage on Wednesday night after Barcelona’s 5-1 Champions League victory over Feyenoord.

“I apologised to my friend and colleague Jose Gaya and to the entire squad as well,” he said, naming the Spain defender and Valencia captain as the first person he contacted.

He insisted the remarks, as interpreted, did not reflect his intention.

“I also want to make it clear that it was simply an expression of surprise – anyone watching the video can see that,” he said. “At no point did I intend to mock anyone or take a difficult moment for a team out of context.”

Rodri then leaned into a different message: respect for Valencia’s stature, even in crisis.

“Quite the opposite – we all want Valencia to return to where it belongs in the league, it is one of the best clubs in the competition. I simply wanted to say that.”

He also pushed back at how the incident escalated from a bench conversation to a national talking point.

“I would also add that it was a private conversation; I think we should all learn a bit more from this, as things really do get taken out of context sometimes. But at no point did I mean any disrespect. My apologies to Valencia.”

The words are out there now, the apology too. What lingers is the question that hangs over both clubs: can Valencia fight their way off the floor, and will Rodri’s slip become just another footnote in a season that is only just beginning to heat up?