Valentino Rossi didn’t hesitate call Marc Marquez a ‘Scumbag’ when naming his MotoGP rival who he ‘hate the most from’
Well, folks, if there were any doubts about the lingering bad blood between MotoGP legends Valentino Rossi and Marc Marquez, the nine-time world champion just served up a headline so spicy it could set paddock gossip ablaze for the next decade. In a recent interview, Rossi made it crystal clear who tops his “least favorite human beings on two wheels” list, boldly branding Marquez a “scumbag” without so much as a pause for subtlety.
Yes, you read that right. The Doctor, known for his charisma and sharp wit, let his feelings fly faster than a Yamaha on a straightaway. “Marc Marquez? Scumbag,” Rossi reportedly quipped when asked which rival he despised the most. He didn’t mince words, proving that the infamous 2015 Sepang Clash still lingers in his mind like a bad case of road rash.
For the uninitiated, the Rossi-Marquez feud is basically MotoGP’s version of Shakespearean drama, but with fewer soliloquies and more elbow-to-elbow battles on the track. The hostility reached fever pitch during the 2015 season, when Rossi accused Marquez of deliberately sabotaging his title hopes by aiding then-teammate Jorge Lorenzo. The saga culminated in a controversial on-track collision in Sepang that saw Rossi penalized, effectively ending his championship run. Since then, the tension between the two has been thicker than a paddock full of tire smoke.
But why call him a “scumbag” now? Could it be that Rossi’s retirement in 2021 has given him the freedom to finally unleash his unfiltered thoughts? Or is this just his way of ensuring the rivalry remains etched in MotoGP lore forever? Either way, it’s a gift to fans who thrive on drama as much as they love high-speed action.
Marquez, for his part, has yet to respond—but let’s not kid ourselves. The Spanish rider is no stranger to the art of verbal sparring and will likely have his own quip locked and loaded. After all, this isn’t his first rodeo in the Rossi rivalry rodeo. Whether he chooses to play the bigger man or fire back with equal venom remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure: this feud isn’t cooling off anytime soon.
MotoGP enthusiasts are predictably divided over Rossi’s remark. Some are hailing him as a truth-teller, finally giving voice to their own grievances against Marquez’s aggressive racing tactics. Others are rolling their eyes, chalking it up to sour grapes from a legend who couldn’t quite nab his 10th world title.
Regardless of which side you’re on, one thing is undeniable: Rossi’s fiery comments have reignited interest in a rivalry that defined an era of MotoGP. So, grab your popcorn, because even in retirement, Valentino Rossi knows how to keep the drama wheel spinning.