Rodri Apologises to Valencia Over Reported 'Very Weak' Remark

Barcelona midfielder Rodri says he has apologised to Valencia's players after television footage appeared to show him describing the team as very weak. The reported remark came while Rodri was sitting on Barcelona's bench during their 5-0 league victory at Valencia on Sunday, according to BBC Sport.

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Rodri had been substituted and was seated beside Barcelona teammates Pau Cubarsi and Raphinha when the exchange took place. The result at Mestalla Stadium left Valencia at the bottom of the table, without a win from their opening four league matches. The footage then drew criticism from some supporters and parts of the Spanish media.

The recording itself contained no audio, leaving uncertainty about the precise words used. Spanish broadcaster Movistar said it had lip-read the 30-year-old as saying Valencia were very weak and had not crossed the halfway line. BBC Sport reported the broadcaster's interpretation rather than presenting the disputed wording as independently audible.

Rodri addressed the incident after Barcelona's 5-1 Champions League victory over Feyenoord on Wednesday. He said he had apologised to Spain teammate Jose Gaya, Valencia's captain, as well as to the entire squad. Rodri explained that his comment was an expression of surprise and insisted that he had not intended to mock Valencia or make light of the club's difficult situation.

The midfielder also said the exchange had been a private conversation and argued that remarks can be taken out of context. He added that he wants Valencia, which he described as one of the competition's leading clubs, to return to a stronger league position. Rodri closed his response with another apology to Valencia.

Rodri joined Barcelona from Manchester City this summer in a £65 million transfer, BBC Sport reported. The Spain international had won the Golden Ball as the best player at the 2026 World Cup. His apology followed two Barcelona victories in four days, but his response focused on clarifying his intent and acknowledging the reaction to the unaudible bench exchange.