Barcelona midfielder Rodrigo Hernández 'Rodri' harshly criticized Valencia Club de Fútbol following their 0-5 thrashing at Mestalla. The player, making his first start for Barça, was caught on camera by Movistar Plus's 'El Día Después' program making disparaging remarks about the opponent from the bench. This episode comes at a critical time for Valencia, who sit 20th in the LaLiga standings with just one point from their first four games.
What exactly did Rodri say?
Rodri was substituted in the 62nd minute with the score already 0-3 to Barcelona. Sitting next to his teammate Pau Cubarsí and without covering his mouth, the 30-year-old made sharp comments about Valencia's performance. According to a report by Mundo Deportivo, the Spanish international said: "Muy flojos, son muy flojos estos... Muy flojos. Son muy malos, tío. Son malísimos. ¿Cómo quedaron clasificados la pasada temporada?". These statements have sparked controversy, as they directly question the team's competitive level.
How did the match at Mestalla unfold?
The match, corresponding to the fourth round of LaLiga, was a Barcelona masterclass against a lackluster Valencia. Rodri, returning to Spanish football after seven seasons in the Premier League, started but did not finish the game. He was replaced by Marc Bernal in the 62nd minute, the same time Andreas Christensen was also substituted. The midfielder's departure did not slow Barcelona down, who extended the lead to a resounding 0-5 final score. Valencia, meanwhile, displayed the issues Rodri pointed out, adding a third consecutive loss to a recent form of LLLD.
What is Valencia's current sporting context?
Rodri's words arrive at the worst possible moment for the club. Valencia are bottom of LaLiga with one point, having scored just one goal and conceded nine in four matches. This leaves them eleven points behind the leaders, Barcelona. The on-field situation is worsened by a significant injury list, which includes players like Sergio Canós, Jesús Copete, Jaume De Haas, Dimitri Foulquier, Diego López, and Luis Rioja, details available on our injuries page. This mix of poor results and absentees partly explains the poor resistance shown in the second half against Barça.
What's next for the team?
The schedule offers no respite for Valencia, who must bounce back immediately. Their next fixture is a trip to face Sevilla, who are seventh in the table, on Friday, September 11, 2026. It's a crucial opportunity to try and stop the negative streak and prove that Rodri's comments do not define their season. Fans can follow the team's progress and fixture list on our site. The manager faces the challenge of reorganizing a depleted squad and finding a competitive response away from Mestalla.
