Rodri apologises to Valencia players after TV remarks
After a candid on-pitch exchange aired on TV, Rodri reached out to José Luis Gayà and apologised to Valencia’s squad following the 0-5 loss.
Barcelona midfielder Rodri apologised directly to several Valencia players after a conversation caught on television provoked a reaction among the defeated hosts following the weekend’s 0-5 result.
TV footage, blunt remarks and a quick outreach
Cameras on the Movistar+ programme El Día Después captured the Spain captain speaking on the pitch with Pau Cubarsí and making dismissive comments about Valencia’s level. The footage circulated on social media and was picked up by fans and players, which appears to have prompted Rodri to act.
During the exchange he told Cubarsí: "They are very bad, these are very bad, eh? They are very bad, man." At another point he said: "They are very weak, man, they are terribly weak, they didn't get past midfield in the second half."
At one moment Rodri asks Cubarsí: "How did Valencia finish last year?" and Cubarsí replies: "Close to Europe." Rodri’s reaction—opening his mouth as if surprised—was visible on the broadcast.
After the programme revealed the conversation, Rodri contacted Valencia defender José Luis Gayà, whom he knows from Spain duty, to apologise and make sure the players did not leave the game with bad feelings. The apology came within hours of the clip being shown on TV.
The incident underlined how casual remarks picked up by broadcast microphones can take on a life of their own and how players sometimes move quickly to repair fences when a comment causes unintended offence.
Photo: Radio Culer @RadioCuler (X)
