Barcelona midfielder Rodri has apologised after television cameras appeared to catch him describing struggling La Liga side Valencia as "very weak" during his side's 5-0 win at Mestella Stadium on Sunday. The comment, reportedly made to team-mates Pau Cubarsi and Raphinha while he sat on the bench after being substituted, drew criticism from fans and Spanish media after broadcaster Movistar claimed to have lip-read the remark, despite the footage carrying no audio.

Rodri, a £65m summer signing from Manchester City who won the World Cup golden ball with Spain in 2026, said he had personally apologised to Valencia captain Jose Gaya and the wider squad following Barcelona's 5-1 Champions League win over Feyenoord on Wednesday. He insisted the comment was "simply an expression of surprise" rather than mockery, stressed it was part of a private conversation taken out of context, and said he wanted Valencia — currently bottom of the table without a win in four matches — to return to where they belong in the league.