Rodri Apologises After Bench Comments Mocking Valencia’s Performance Go Viral
Spain international midfielder Rodri has issued a public apology to Valencia’s players, staff and supporters after television cameras caught him making critical remarks about the club’s performance from the substitutes’ bench during a heavy weekend defeat at the Mestalla.
Rodri was substituted in the 62nd minute of Sunday’s La Liga fixture, with his side already leading 3-0 en route to an eventual 5-0 win, and remained involved in matchday proceedings from the bench alongside teammate Pau Cubarsi. Seated together without covering their conversation, the pair discussed Valencia’s performance, with broadcaster Movistar’s cameras and microphones picking up Rodri’s comments, which were later pieced together and widely circulated on social media. According to reports, Rodri could be heard describing Valencia as extremely weak and poor, questioning how the club had finished the previous season and remarking that their players had barely crossed the halfway line during the second half.
The comments quickly sparked backlash in Spain, with sections of the media and Valencia’s own fanbase accusing Rodri, the reigning men’s World Cup Golden Ball winner, of showing disrespect toward a struggling opponent. Valencia had entered the match already toiling near the bottom of the table without a win in their opening four fixtures of the season.
Rodri addressed the controversy directly when speaking to reporters following a subsequent 5-1 Champions League victory over Feyenoord, opting to raise the issue himself before taking questions. “Before I begin, I would like to apologize to everyone who may have been offended: Valencia supporters, fans, players, anyone who may have felt offended by my words,” he said. He went on to clarify that he had already personally apologised to his friend and Spain teammate Jose Gaya, Valencia’s captain, as well as to the wider Valencia squad, according to some reports having reached out to them directly by phone. Rodri maintained that his comments reflected surprise rather than genuine disrespect, insisting anyone who watched the footage back would be able to see that for themselves.
In further comments carried by Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, Rodri reiterated that his remarks stemmed from a private conversation that was never intended for public consumption, while acknowledging that people are sometimes taken out of context and stressing that no disrespect had been intended at any point toward Valencia Club de Futbol. He expressed hope that the club would soon return to the level he felt it belonged at, characterising his willingness to apologise as simply the natural response of someone who recognises they made a mistake.
The episode has done little to disrupt Rodri’s strong start to life following his move to Spain, with the midfielder currently among the contenders shortlisted for this year’s men’s Ballon d’Or award alongside Barcelona teammates Pau Cubarsi and Lamine Yamal. As attention turns back to the pitch, the apology appears to have drawn a line under the incident, with Rodri choosing to address the matter directly and swiftly rather than allow the controversy to linger.
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