On the COPE radio program, there was discussion of the "offensive remarks" made by Rodri about Valencia. COPE noted that Rodri's words "were not made with malice" and that he wished to apologize.

COPE discusses Rodri's statements

I want to say something—this is obviously a mistake that Rodri made. First, on the day of his debut as a starter for Barcelona, knowing there could be 20 cameras on him on the bench, and yet he was so naive in his actions.

But after seeing the replay, I have to be honest: I don't think there was malice in his comments, nor any intention to mock Valencia. He wasn't mocking Valencia—if the situation were different, I wouldn't need to defend Rodri.

In fact, he said those things more out of frustration, as if to say: "This situation is simply too poor." As a player who has played in the Premier League for many years, he suddenly encounters a Valencia team that is completely unfamiliar to him. Honestly, I believe this, especially because many people are saying: "If Vinícius did this, if Vinícius did this, we would definitely criticize him severely."

But listen, if he did it with that kind of body language that Rodri showed, everyone would have already cursed him. I insist on this, and I want to emphasize that this is purely out of love for football: how many times in a school team match do you tell a teammate, "These guys are very bad, absolutely terrible," or even "They can't even get past midfield"?

So I want to say, I really don't think there was any intent to mock in Rodri's body language. But such behavior is ultimately harmful to him. This is pure footballing spirit, but it damages him, just like when he sits on the bench and tells his teammates, "That damn Valencia winger is tearing us apart." Saying such things is actually very much in the spirit of football. However, I think this has stripped Rodri of his aura of humility, just as his celebration at the Ballon d'Or ceremony, when he laughed and sang, mocking his biggest rival, Vinícius, saying "Vinícius Balón de Oro," "Vinícius Balón de Oro."

In my opinion, both were major mistakes, and this has taken away his humble aura. Now he's become a super "football fanatic," like sitting around complaining about how bad the referee is or how stupid that guy is. But if he really is the way the outside world describes him, then he should come out and explain clearly.

Now, this is the second part of what I want to say: Rodri is frustrated, he's frustrated about this matter, he's frustrated because he hurt his teammates and the fans who were cheering him on just moments before, and this pains him greatly. Rodri is still the same person. The fans could think the same way he does. Do you understand what I'm saying? It's really difficult when others speak badly about someone close to you.

Today, Valencia fans aren't too angry. Now, for example, manager Rubén Baraja could say: "Damn it, teammates like that, I really admire him." I mean, he's frustrated by both things—by his teammates and by the fans who applauded him before.

Rodri mentioned this incident once, saying: "Man, I received such warm applause at Mestalla." Rodri wants to apologize, and he should apologize and explain that it was a mistake he made. And Rodri doesn't have accounts on the two major social media platforms, nor any other social media accounts. He has no communication with the outside world except through statements to the media. So what's happening? Because Barcelona is preventing this situation, and Rodri wants to apologize.

I think that if Barcelona's spokesman tells Rodri tomorrow: "No, don't go out," Rodri should say: "Listen, I am going to go out because I have to." This cannot be decided by a press officer who's only known Rodri for 10 minutes, because Rodri just joined Barcelona 10 minutes ago.

And Rodri is a World Cup champion, a Ballon d'Or winner, a European champion. In this country, he's much more than just a Barcelona player. Rodri is much more than just a Barcelona player because he's the captain of the Spanish national team.

Therefore, tomorrow, after Rodri's match, he will go to the mixed zone as usual, or I don't know what he'll do, but he will give an explanation, which is what Rodri should do.

Traducido por IA.

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