Mallorca Suspends Captain Rodriguez After Real Madrid Bench Complaint

RCD Mallorca has suspended midfielder Dani Rodriguez and stripped him of his captaincy following his public complaint about being benched in a recent match against Real Madrid. Rodriguez, who has been with the club since 2018 and has played 277 matches, expressed frustration that new signing Jan Virgili was chosen to play ahead of him despite having only trained once with the team. The 37-year-old criticized the decision, saying it sent a negative message about loyalty and effort within the club. Mallorca announced the suspension includes a halt to Rodriguez's salary and will last for ten days, signaling the club's strict response to his comments. The dispute highlights tensions within the team over playing time and respect for veteran players amid new signings. Mallorca's action reflects the club's stance on maintaining discipline and authority in its squad.