Barcelona midfielder Rodri has apologised after television images showed him calling Valencia a "really bad" and "weak" team during last weekend's 5-0 win at Mestalla.
Rodri was recorded by Movistar talking to teammate Pau Cubarsà on the bench after being substituted in the second half of the LaLiga match.
The Spain international did not appear to be openly mocking Valencia, but he was expressing surprise at how poor they were.
"Given the controversy generated, I would like to apologise to all those that could have been offended: fans, players... Anyone else," Rodri said after Barça kicked off their Champions League campaign with a 5-1 win over Feyenoord on Wednesday.
"I have already had a call with my friend [and Valencia defender José Luis] Gayà to apologise to him and the whole Valencia squad.
"I want to make it clear that it was an expression of surprise and anyone that saw the video can see that. At no point did I intend to mock or take a difficult moment for any team out of context, quite the opposite."
Six-time Spanish champions Valencia, who last won LaLiga in 2004, are currently bottom of the table after four games.
Since finishing fourth and qualifying for the Champions League in 2019, they have not finished higher than ninth and have become more accustomed to battling relegation than competing for Europe at times in recent seasons.
"I hope they can return to where they belong because they are one of the best clubs in the league," Rodri added.
"But I would like to reiterate that it was a private conversation. Maybe things have been taken out of context, but I certainly did not mean to be disrespectful."
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Rodri, formerly of Villarreal and Atlético Madrid, returned to Spain with Barça this summer, signing from Manchester City in a deal worth an initial €60 million (£51m / $69m).
He has helped Hansi Flick's side make a fine start to the new campaign. They have won all five of their matches -- four in LaLiga and one in the Champions League -- and scored 22 goals already, netting five times in four of their five games to date.
