Barcelona midfielder Rodri has apologised to Valencia after television footage appeared to show him describing the La Liga club as “very weak” during their heavy defeat at Mestalla.
The alleged remark came during Barcelona’s 5-0 victory over Valencia on Sunday, with Rodri reportedly commenting on teammates Pau Cubarsí and Raphinha while sitting on the bench after being substituted.
Although the footage has no audio, Spanish broadcaster Movistar said it had interpreted Rodri’s lip movements as him saying: “They’re really weak. They haven’t got past the halfway line.”
The apparent comment quickly drew criticism from Valencia supporters and sections of the Spanish media, with the midfielder accused of showing disrespect towards a club going through a difficult spell.
Rodri has since addressed the incident, saying he has apologised to Valencia captain and Spain teammate José Gayà, as well as the rest of the squad.
Speaking after Barcelona’s 5-1 Champions League victory over Feyenoord on Wednesday, Rodri insisted that his words were not intended as a mockery of Valencia.
“I also want to make it clear that it was simply an expression of surprise,” he said.
“At no point did I intend to mock anyone or take a difficult moment for a team out of context.”
Rodri also argued that the comments were made during a private conversation and had subsequently been taken out of context.
“But at no point did I mean any disrespect. My apologies to Valencia,” he added.
The controversy comes as Valencia struggle at the start of the new La Liga campaign. They remain at the bottom of the table after failing to win any of their opening four matches.
Barcelona, meanwhile, have enjoyed a perfect start and produced another emphatic performance in midweek, defeating Feyenoord 5-1 in the Champions League.
Rodri joined Barcelona this summer in a reported £65 million move from Manchester City, following a 2026 World Cup campaign with Spain in which he helped the country lift the trophy and was named the tournament’s Golden Ball winner.
