Barcelona's Rodri Apologizes After 'Weak' Comment on Valencia Caught on Camera

Rodri Apologizes Following Controversial Remark Against Valencia

Barcelona midfielder Rodri has publicly apologized after being recorded calling Valencia "weak" during their recent La Liga clash, which ended in a 5-0 victory for Barcelona. The incident happened at the Mestalla, where the Spanish international was caught on camera criticizing Valencia's performance from the bench.

Recorded Comments Spark Backlash

During the match, broadcaster Movistar's high-definition footage captured a conversation between Rodri, Pau Cubarsi, and Raphinha. Lip-reading revealed Rodri saying, "They're really weak. They haven't got past the halfway line." This clip aired with a voiceover explaining the exchange, triggering negative reactions among Valencia supporters who felt the remarks were insensitive given their struggles near the bottom of the league table.

Personal and Public Apology to Valencia Captain

Understanding the impact of his words, Rodri quickly reached out to Valencia captain Jose Gaya to express regret and clarify his intentions. After Barcelona’s 5-1 Champions League win over Feyenoord, he addressed the issue openly in the mixed zone.

"First and foremost, I’d like to apologize to anyone who may have felt offended," Rodri said. "I had a phone call with my friend Jose Gaya and apologized to him and the whole squad. I want to make it clear that it was an expression of surprise; anyone who watches the video can see that at no point did I intend to mock or take any team out of context. Quite the opposite."

He added his respect for Valencia and hopes they reclaim their status as one of the top clubs in La Liga. Rodri reminded everyone that the comment came from a private chat and warned about how things can be misunderstood when taken out of context.

Barcelona Moves Forward With Strong Performances

The controversy didn't distract Barcelona on the pitch, as they convincingly beat Feyenoord 5-1 to start their European campaign. Rodri was influential in midfield while goals from Karim Adeyemi, Lamine Yamal, two from Raphinha, and a debut goal for Gabriel Jesus sealed the comprehensive win.

Looking ahead, Rodri and his teammates are set to face Levante in La Liga, aiming to keep their unbeaten run intact and maintain their lead atop the standings.

• Upcoming Matches:
• Sevilla vs Valencia: 11 Sept 2026, 21:00
• Levante vs Barcelona: 13 Sept 2026, 16:15