Rodri calls Valencia's Gaya to apologise after mic picks up post-match criticism

Rodri has reportedly phoned Valencia defender Jose Gaya to apologise after a conversation caught on camera appeared to show the Barcelona midfielder making disparaging remarks about Valencia in the wake of a 5-0 La Liga defeat.

Footage aired on Spanish television programme El Día Despues showed Rodri speaking with Barcelona and Spain teammate Pau Cubarsi shortly after the weekend fixture. In the clip, Rodri is quoted as telling Cubarsi: “They’re really weak, they’re really weak, man. Really weak, mate. They’re really bad, man, they’re terrible.” He then appeared to ask Cubarsi how Valencia had finished last season, visibly surprised when the defender replied they had narrowly missed out on European qualification.

Spanish outlet Sport reported that Rodri subsequently called Gaya — a former Spain international teammate — to address the comments directly. According to the report, Rodri had no intention of offending Valencia or Gaya personally, and reached out to clarify the context behind his remarks. Gaya came off the bench in the second half of the 5-0 defeat.

Rodri joined Barcelona from Manchester City in the summer in a deal reported to be worth around £65 million, ending a trophy-laden spell at the Etihad Stadium. The Spain international has quickly become a central figure in Hansi Flick’s midfield, and was part of the side that maintained a 100 percent start to the La Liga season with the win over Valencia.

The incident adds an unwanted distraction ahead of Barcelona’s Champions League campaign, with the club set to face Feyenoord in their opening league-phase fixture on Wednesday.