Rodri issues public apology after Barcelona vs Feyenoord over incident caught on camera

Barcelona midfielder Rodri has issued a public apology following his side's 5-1 Champions League win against Feyenoord after he was heavily criticised for an incident related to Valencia.

Barca thrashed Valencia 5-0 in La Liga on Sunday, with Raphinha scoring a brace for Les Cules at Estadi de Mestalla.

But after the full-time whistle, Rodri was caught on camera in conversation with Barcelona team-mate Pau Cubarsi, where he was quoted by Movistar+ as stating: "They're [Valencia] really weak. They're really weak, man. Really weak, mate."

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Rodri apologises to Valencia fans and players

Though Valencia no longer reach the heights they did in the early and mid-2010s, particularly under Unai Emery, they did finish in the top half of La Liga last season. They even beat Barcelona 3-1 at home on the final day of the campaign.

However, Carlos Corberan's side currently sit bottom of the Spanish top division, having lost three and drawn one of their opening four matches.

Rodri's remarks understandably did not go down well among the club's supporters.

It was reported by various Spanish outlets on Wednesday that the former Manchester City midfielder had personally called Valencia captain, Jose Gaya, to apologise for his remarks.

Now, Rodri has publicly apologised in an interview following the Feyenoord win, accepting that he made a 'mistake'.

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"I want to apologise to the fans and players of Valencia," he said (as per Fabrizio Romano). "I also called Valencia's captain, Gaya.

"A human, when they make a mistake, must apologise. I hope Valencia returns to where they belong."

Rodri is on 2026 Ballon d'Or shortlist

Rodri is one of three Barcelona players nominated for the men's Ballon d'Or award for 2026, with Spain compatriots Pau Cubarsi and Lamine Yamal also on the shortlist.

Ferran Torres, who now plays for PSG, has also been nominated, but he spent the 2025/26 season with Barcelona and won the World Cup with Spain.

Six Barcelona players have been nominated for the women's award, with Esmee Brugts, Cata Coll, Caroline Graham Hansen, Claudia Pina, Patri Guijarro and Ewa Pajor all on the shortlist.

A Barca player has won either the men's or the women's awards every year since 2019, though that may change this year.

Alexia Putellas is the favourite to win the women's award but moved to London City Lionesses in the summer, while Bayern Munich and England striker Harry Kane is currently favourite to win the men's award ahead of Yamal.

Rodri won the Ballon d'Or in 2024, and was awarded the Golden Ball for the best player at this summer's World Cup to boost his chances of winning.

He won both domestic cups with Manchester City as well, but his lack of game time in comparison to other top stars - he only made 30 appearances in all competitions due to injury issues - could count against him in the voting.

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