Ten years after their rivalry exploded in the dramatic finale of 2015, Marc Marquez seems ready to write a new chapter. In an interview with El Periódico, the seven-time MotoGP world champion clarified his stance on Valentino Rossi, his greatest rival and one of the most influential figures in the sport.
The tension between the two legends never truly disappeared. Even after the Doctor's retirement in 2021A few statements from both sides were enough to reignite the embers.
Et 2025 only amplified the symbol: Marquez equaled the nine world titles of Valentino, a coincidence heavy with meaning for their fans. Just yesterday, the Spaniard was admitting he wouldn't " don't worry "in the opinion of his former rival — and thought the opposite was true.
Today, the discourse is intended to be more conciliatory:
« One of the things I've learned throughout my career, It's about respecting my rivalsOn the track, we give it our all. Mistakes happen, but they are never intentional. »
And he adds on El Periodico : " You can't live with resentment; it's simply not possible. »
Marc Marquez vs Valentini Rossi, a rivalry that transcends sport
The animosity between their clans remains very much alive: Marquez was booed again at Mugello this season, Rossi He himself faced a massive backlash during the MotoGP year-end ceremony.
Social media continues to fuel a veritable war of attrition between tifosi and supporters of Marquez.
In 2025, before his injury in Indonesia, the Spaniard was utterly dominating the championship with 11 Grand Prix victories and 14 Sprints won. A winning machine, but still divisive.
After his fall with Marco BezzecchiHe even had to call for calm among his own supporters when the pilot Aprilia was violently attacked online.
But is that chapter truly closed? From a sporting perspective, their paths will never cross again: Rossi became a stable owner, Marquez is still at the top, engaged in the challenge Ducati then future regulations in 2027.
But their eternal duality still lives on in the stands—and on social media. This new, more conciliatory discourse of Marc Marquez Could it eventually reconcile these two worlds that are still opposed?
History will remember that even the greatest rivals must learn to lay down their arms.
