Rodri Apologises to Valencia After Controversial Comment
Barcelona midfielder Rodri has moved to defuse a growing storm in Spain after being caught on camera appearing to describe struggling Valencia as “very weak”.
The incident came during Barça’s 5-0 demolition of Valencia at Mestalla on Sunday, a result that left the hosts bottom of La Liga with no wins from their first four games. Substituted and sat on the bench, Rodri was seen talking with team-mates Pau Cubarsi and Raphinha.
There was no audio on the footage, but Spanish broadcaster Movistar said their lip-reading suggested the 30-year-old former Manchester City midfielder told them: “They’re really weak. They haven’t got past the halfway line.”
That claim was enough to ignite backlash from fans and sections of the Spanish media, who accused the World Cup golden ball winner of disrespecting one of the country’s historic clubs at a moment of crisis.
Rodri addressed the controversy on Wednesday night, speaking after Barcelona’s 5-1 Champions League win 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 directly.
He insisted the comment, as he sees it, has been misunderstood.
“I also want to make it clear that it was simply an expression of surprise – anyone watching the video can see that,” Rodri explained. “At no point did I intend to mock anyone or take a difficult moment for a team out of context.”
He then turned to Valencia’s stature, keen to underline his respect.
“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.”
Rodri also bristled at how quickly a brief exchange on the bench had spilled into 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,” he said. “But at no point did I mean any disrespect. My apologies to Valencia.”
A heavy defeat, a lip-read line and a public apology: Valencia’s start to the season is already raw. How they respond on the pitch will now matter far more than anything caught by a television camera.
