Barcelona star Rodri calls Valencia player to apologise for controversial comments | OneFootball

FC Barcelona were in top form at the weekend, as they ran out comfortable 5-0 winners against Valencia at the Mestalla. Summer signing Rodri made his first start in midfielder for the Catalans, and while his performance was good in the centre of the pitch, that is not what is being spoken about days after the match.

After being substituted in the 62nd minute at the Mestalla, TV cameras caught Rodri telling Barcelona teammate Pau Cubarsi that Valencia are “very lazy”. At another time, he referred to the Los Che players as “very bad”, while he was also visibly shocked when Cubarsi told him that Carlos Corberan’s side almost finished inside the European places last season. These comments did not go down well among those associated with the Valencian club, and this has prompted a response from the 2026 World Cup Golden Ball winner.

As per Sport, Rodri promptly contacted Valencia captain Jose Gaya upon being made aware that his dugout comments had been made public, and he issued an apology for any disrespect caused. The pair know each other well from being colleagues at international level, and the 30-year-old moved quickly to clear up any concerns that would have arisen from his remarks.

Rodri keen to avoid controversy after making return to Spain

Throughout his career, Rodri has regularly tried to avoid getting involved in any controversies – both on and off the pitch. The fact that he’s been at the centre of one this week, and so soon after returning to Spain following his summer move from Manchester City, will have troubled him, although he has moved quickly to settle things with Gaya and Valencia.

Rodri will be keen to put this incident behind him quickly, and he will have the chance to do so when Barcelona take on Feyenoord in the opening match of their 2026-27 Champions League campaign on Wednesday.