Rodri Criticizes Valencia After Barcelona's 5-0 Win at Mestalla

During Barcelona's 5-0 triumph over Valencia at Mestalla, Rodri Hernandez didn't hold back in expressing his disappointment with the home side. The Spanish midfielder was caught on camera sharing sharp criticism of Valencia while sitting on the bench after being substituted.

Blunt Comments Caught on Camera

The match marked Rodri's first start for Barcelona and he was applauded by the crowd when he was replaced in the 62nd minute. However, moments later, a private exchange between him and youngster Pau Cubarsí turned public when TV cameras picked up the midfielder’s scathing remarks about Valencia's play.

• Rodri to Cubarsí: "They are very lazy, these guys, very lazy. Really bad."

Rodri seemed shocked by the minimal resistance from Valencia, especially as Barcelona had already taken a commanding 3-0 lead by the time he left the pitch.

Confusion Over Valencia's Recent Form

The conversation continued with Rodri questioning how such a club could be performing so poorly. He asked aloud about Valencia's finish in the previous season, struggling to reconcile their current weakness with their status as a prominent Spanish team.

• "They are terrible, they are terrible. Where did Valencia finish last year?"

He also criticized their tactical approach, noting how Barcelona dominated the second half without facing any real challenge.

• "Hey, they haven't even crossed the halfway line in the second half," Rodri added.

Strong Debut for Rodri

Despite his harsh words off the field, Rodri's performance during the match was impressive. Positioned centrally in Hansi Flick’s midfield, he controlled the tempo with calmness and accuracy, driving Barcelona’s attacking transitions.

Flick praised Rodri after the game, saying, "Everything Rodri does makes sense. It’s exciting. Not only on the pitch but also in the dressing room."

Controversy Over Defensive Incident

The day wasn’t flawless for Rodri, though. A particular challenge against Valencia forward Arnaut Danjuma drew intense scrutiny from refereeing analysts. Footage showed Rodri making contact before the shot, sparking debate about whether a penalty and red card should have been awarded. The referee, however, chose not to intervene.

Upcoming Fixtures

• Champions League: Barcelona vs Feyenoord, 9 Sept 2026, 18:45
• La Liga: Sevilla vs Valencia, 11 Sept 2026, 21:00