Marc Marquez gives cold response when asked whether he’d greet Valentino Rossi, ‘I don’t need him’

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Marc Marquez and Valentino Rossi have been locked in a fierce spat since the events of the 2015 season, and the Spaniard issued a verdict on whether they are close to reconciling their former relationship anytime soon.

The pair of riders haven’t been on speaking terms for nearly a decade now, and given both of their statures within the legend of the premier class, it has been a rather large topic of discussion.

Despite the obvious differences that they share, Rossi and Marquez still have some respect left for each other, albeit on a professional scale.

Following the Spaniard’s nightmarish period at the start of the 2020 season, Rossi showed how much he respected Marquez through his verdict on him still being the man on the MotoGP grid to beat upon his return.

The Italian rider’s comments came to fruition in 2025, where he dominated the grid to take his ninth world title on two wheels.

Before clinching the championship, Marquez paid homage to Rossi’s abilities by revealing the fact that he found it ‘hard to believe’ that he was about to match his rival’s championship tally.

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Marc Marquez has no desire to squash his feud with former MotoGP rival Valentino Rossi

In a recent appearance on El Larguero, Marquez was asked a number of questions regarding the fierce rivalry that he shares with Rossi.

The Spaniard’s most recent title feat put him level on championship tallies with the former Yamaha rider, with both premier class giants now boasting seven MotoGP titles and a total of nine world championships apiece.

Asked if he thinks that Rossi is worried about him securing a 10th world title next season, Marquez replied, “No, I don’t think so, and it doesn’t interest me either what he thinks, honestly.

“I’m more interested in the people who can contribute to me, the people who can add to me. The external comments – there will always be the opinions, the gossip, it’s part of the show, and it’s part of this, and it sells too.”

The factory Ducati rider was also asked for his perspective on a moment at the Austrian Grand Prix earlier this season in which Marquez and Rossi ignored each other in the pit lane.

Asked if his sentiments have changed, and if he would acknowledge his nemesis in the future, Marquez answered, “No. I can’t lie to you. We each do our own thing, and he probably doesn’t need me, and I don’t need him.

“But in the end, motorcycling needs both of us, and that’s where we come together.”

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Marc Marquez also responded to claims that Valentino Rossi didn’t kick him during the infamous 2015 Malaysian Grand Prix

During his appearance on the late-night talk show, the 32-year-old was also asked for his opinion on those loyal to the former Italian rider who claim that Rossi didn’t kick him during their infamous episode during the 2015 Malaysian Grand Prix.

Marquez had a stoic response to the query, telling the hosts, “Like the thing with the table, right? The one who sees it white, sees it white, and the one who doesn’t, doesn’t.

“I mean, there’s little, there’s little more to add to that, no? The images have already been seen a thousand times.”

Jorge Lorenzo, the Italian’s former teammate at the factory Yamaha outfit, previously recalled the damage that the kick had on Rossi’s reputation, noting the fact that it was never the same following the events of that race weekend in Sepang.

The kick was seemingly a response to the way that Rossi felt Marquez was treating him during the final rounds of the 2015 season, which saw both factory Yamaha riders locked into a title fight.

Lorenzo ended up taking the title in the final round of the season, with Rossi’s actions in the penultimate round of the season severely hindering his chances in the championship showdown.