Mallorca captain stripped of armband and suspended without pay after blasting coach over 'terrible message to the dressing room' after being left on the bench against Real Madrid

Mallorca have taken a dramatic step by stripping veteran midfielder Rodriguez of the captaincy and suspending him without pay after his public criticism of coach Arrasate. The fallout stems from Mallorca’s 2-1 defeat to Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu, where Rodriguez, 37, was left on the bench and not brought on as a substitute.

The midfielder vented his frustration on Instagram, questioning the coach’s decision to give minutes to new signing Jan Virgili, who had only just arrived at the club, ahead of long-serving players. Mallorca’s management, led by director of football Pablo Ortells, responded swiftly by announcing a suspension from employment and salary, as well as removing Rodriguez from his leadership role within the squad.

Rodriguez’s frustration spilled out publicly across multiple Instagram posts, where he questioned the values behind Arrasate’s decision-making. In one of his first posts, he wrote: "It pains me that a player who just arrived, with just one training session, has the opportunity to play ahead of teammates who have spent years defending this jersey with sweat and dedication."

He continued by accusing the coach of undermining dressing room values: "Something like this sending a terrible message to the locker room: loyalty, hard work, or dedication don't matter."

Later, in a longer post that mixed personal disappointment with a message for his family, Rodriguez wrote: "I travelled with my children’s hopes of seeing their father play at the Bernabeu. An important lesson and piece of advice for them: Never expect anything from anyone, especially these days, when meritocracy, culture, and respect for hard work are so lacking. Don’t do things expecting something in return; do it for yourself and your passion."

He added: "People’s respect and affection are earned on the pitch. Sacrifice yourself for your dreams, even if they put obstacles in your way, and always believe in yourself. Things are earned, not given. And when you earn them, they taste twice as good. I love you, family. You’re the best." Despite the heartfelt tone, his remarks were seen by the club as crossing a line.

Rodriguez’s suspension sends a wider message about discipline and authority within the dressing room. For Mallorca, who are battling to maintain stability in La Liga, allowing a senior player to openly challenge the coach risked undermining team unity. The club’s decision to act decisively reflects its intent to reinforce Arrasate’s authority and protect the integrity of the dressing room.

For Rodriguez, a long-serving figure and fan favourite, this episode marks a painful fracture in his relationship with the club. At 37, and in the twilight of his career, the disciplinary measures could cast doubt over his immediate future and whether reconciliation is possible.

As things stand, Rodriguez is unavailable for selection, starting with their upcoming trip to Espanyol after the international break. The club must now manage the fallout within the squad, ensuring that Arrasate retains the dressing room’s confidence while addressing the absence of a senior leader. Whether Rodriguez will be reintegrated after his suspension or if this incident signals the beginning of the end of his Mallorca career remains uncertain.