Guido Rodriguez did not score a single goal in 32 games for West Ham United. It is fair to say he is putting that right back in Spanish football with La Liga’s sleeping giants Valencia.
Rodriguez has made an ‘exceptional’ impression since returning to Spain during the January transfer window.
West Ham United agreed to terminate the contract of the former Real Betis enforcer ahead of schedule. And while Valencia are not mathematically safe from relegation just yet, Carlos Corberan’s side have won four of eight La Liga matches with Guido Rodriguez compared to five of 22 without him.
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Guido Rodriguez of West Ham United looks on during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Brentford at London Stadium on October 20, 2025 in London, England.
Despite the veteran midfielder’s best efforts, though, Valencia would slip to a 3-2 home defeat by Europa League-chasing Celta Vigo on Sunday.
An afternoon which also saw Rodriguez score his first goal since March 2024, and his first brace since he was playing for Mexican outfit Club America in 2019. An afternoon he wishes had turned out differently.
Guido Rodriguez scores La Liga brace after West Ham United exit
Rodriguez fizzed Valencia ahead 12 minutes in at the Mestalla. His second of the game would come in stoppage time, a mere consolation after Celta had raced into a 3-1 lead.
Clearly, the 31-year-old has been given the licence to let fly more often by ex-Leeds, West Brom and Huddersfield coach Corberan.
Guido Rodriguez during Valencia CF v Athletic Club - Copa Del Rey
Photo by Maria Jose Segovia/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images
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Rodriguez is averaging one shot per game at Valencia, having only mustered nine attempts on goal in 29 Premier League matches under Julen Lopetegui, Graham Potter and Nuno Espirito Santo.
“The two goals meant nothing. We wanted to win and, in the end, we were very angry about the result ,” Rodriguez told DAZN at full-time, the defeat marring the occasion. “I would have preferred others to have scored, but to have won the match.
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“In the second half, they scored two goals early on. I could have done more on both and I’m really angry. The third goal changed everything. We have to keep learning, keep working and stay on the same path because we weren’t the best before and we’re not the worst now, and we have to stay united.”
The 2022 World Cup winner is only at Valencia on a short-term deal, although the two-time Champions League finalists seem determined to extend that for at least another 12 months.
As Las Provincias pointed out recently, the midfield was one of Valencia’s ‘weaknesses’ before Rodriguez’s arrival. His presence is turning it into a strength again.
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