Rodri apologises to Valencia captain after controversial comments following Barcelona’s 5-0 win

Rodri has apologised to Valencia captain Jose Luis Gaya after remarks he made about the club’s performance during their humiliating 5-0 defeat by Barcelona at Mestalla in La Liga on Sunday caused widespread controversy.

The Barcelona midfielder was filmed by the television programme El Dia Despues having an informal conversation with team-mate Pau Cubarsi on the substitutes’ bench. During the exchange, Rodri described Valencia’s players as “extremely weak” and “terrible”.

The comments were not intended as a public statement, but were later broadcast on television, prompting a strong reaction. After seeing the response, Rodri was reportedly upset and expressed regret that his words had been aired.

He insisted that he had not meant to insult Valencia’s players in any way.

According to Mundo Deportivo, citing Valencia public television channel A Punt, Rodri contacted Gaya to explain the circumstances and apologise for what had happened.

Rodri and Gaya have played together several times for Spain, and the former Manchester City player asked the Valencia captain to clarify the situation to the rest of the squad. The request was intended to prevent further controversy, particularly because the comments had come from a fellow player in the Spain national team.

The incident followed Barcelona’s emphatic victory at Mestalla, where Valencia were beaten 5-0 in a result that brought considerable criticism of their display. Rodri’s remarks, however, became a separate talking point after the exchange was picked up by the cameras.

In addition to his private explanation to Gaya, Rodri may address the matter publicly after Wednesday’s Champions League match against Feyenoord. Radio station COPE reported that he could issue a statement to make clear that his comments about Valencia were made without malice and without any intention of causing harm.

Rodri is expected to explain that the words were spoken privately and were not intended to be directed publicly at Valencia or its players. His contact with Gaya was described as an effort to settle the matter before it created any further dispute.

Gaya’s relationship with Rodri through the Spain set-up was central to the apology, with the Valencia captain able to communicate the midfielder’s explanation to the rest of the squad. Rodri’s concern was that the remarks could be misunderstood, especially given his status within the national team.

The episode has therefore moved from a television clip to an apology between two Spain internationals, with Rodri now considering whether a public clarification is also necessary following the Champions League fixture.

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