Rodri, a key figure in Barcelona’s midfield, issued a public apology following the team’s decisive 5-1 victory over Feyenoord in their Champions League opener. The midfielder, who transferred to Barcelona from Manchester City this summer for a reported £65 million, was part of the starting eleven at Camp Nou. Barcelona’s dominant performance saw goals from Raphinha (twice), Karim Adeyemi, Lamine Yamal, and Gabriel Jesus, marking the second consecutive match where the Catalan club has scored five goals. This follows their impressive 5-0 win against Valencia at Mestalla Stadium the previous weekend.
Rodri Addresses Controversy and Offers Apology
Before discussing Barcelona’s strong start to their Champions League campaign, Rodri felt compelled to address controversial footage that surfaced earlier in the week. The video, captured by Movistar, appeared to show Rodri making critical remarks about Valencia after being substituted in a previous match. In the footage, Rodri is heard speaking to teammate Pau Cubarsi, stating, “They’re really weak. They’re really weak, man. Really bad. They’re terrible, they’re terrible. How did Valencia finish last year? You know, they haven’t even crossed the halfway line in the second half.”
Selected for post-match media duties, Rodri took the opportunity to publicly apologize to Valencia, its players, and its fans for any offense caused by his comments. He stated, “I would like to say a few words before we begin. When a person makes a mistake, he must come out and apologise. I want to apologise to everyone who felt insulted, players, fans and others.”
Rodri elaborated on his regret, mentioning that he had already reached out to Valencia’s José Gayà. “I have already made the necessary contact with my friend and colleague José Gayà, and I apologised to him and to all the members of the team,” Rodri explained. He characterized his remarks as an expression of surprise rather than an intentional attempt to mock or exploit a team’s difficult period. “It was just a phrase expressing surprise, and I never intended to mock or exploit any bad moment a team is going through and take it out of context.”
Expressing his hopes for Valencia’s future, Rodri added, “I hope Valencia return to the position they deserve, and become once again one of the best clubs in this league. We all need to learn a little more. Things are being taken out of context, and I repeat my apology to Valencia.”
Looking Ahead: Champions League Aspirations
Transitioning to the Feyenoord match, Rodri emphasized the significance of the Champions League for Barcelona. “The Champions League is the next step. We need to change things, and that’s what we’re working on. We all want to lift this trophy again,” he remarked. He cautioned against unrealistic expectations, stating, “We have to take it one step at a time. If anyone expects us to win by five goals every game, they’re mistaken. There’s a long way to go.”
Barcelona’s next fixture is scheduled for Sunday, September 13, against Levante at the Estadi Ciutat de València. The team aims to secure their fifth consecutive victory of the season as they continue their La Liga title defense.
