Cristiano Ronaldo and his Portugal side were eliminated by Spain after only conceding one goal in four matches. It is said that misery loves company but apparently this was not the case for Cristiano in Cape Town.
In comments published by the Madrid broadsheet, Marca, Ronaldo explained his reasons for not attending the post-match press conference and the uproar over one of his statements in the media mixed zone. Former Portuguese international, Luis Figo, weighed in with his opinion about the matter and the role of team captain.
Misinterpreted in the Media Mixed Zone
Cristiano Ronaldo aseguró, en declaraciones a la empresa de su representante, Jorge Mendes, que se le malinterpretó una frase en la zona mixta cuando contestó sobre los motivos de la derrota ante España y dijo que se le preguntara a Carlos Queiroz:
“Estoy sufriendo y tengo derecho a sufrir solo“.
Translation:
Cristiano Ronaldo maintained, in declarations to the press by his representative, Jorge Mendes, that a phrase was misinterpreted in the mixed zone when he responded about the reasons for the defeat by Spain and said to ask Carlos Queiroz:
“‘I am suffering and I have the right to suffer alone.”
He Clarified His Response
El delantero del Real Madrid matizó su respuesta:
“Cuando dije que preguntasen al entrenador fue simplemente porque Carlos Queiroz estaba en conferencia de prensa y los periodistas podían escuchar sus explicaciones y porque no me sentía en condiciones para explicar lo que fuese“.
Translation:
The Real Madrid striker explained his response:
“When I told them to ask the manager, it was simply because Carlos Queiroz was at the press conference and the journalists could hear his explanations and because I was not in a condition to explain what happened.”
Very Sad Exit
Ronaldo se marcha de Sudáfrica muy triste:
“Jamás pensé que esa simple e inocente frase podía provocar tanta polémica. Por eso pido que no encuentren fantasmas donde no existen. No hay caso alguno“.
Cristiano Ronaldo tratará de olvidar lo antes posible esta derrota:
“Me siento destrozado, completamente desolado, frustrado y con una tristeza inimaginable.”
Y apuntó que como capitán siempre ha asumido y asumirá sus responsabilidades.
Translation:
Ronaldo departs South Africa very sad:
“I never thought that a simple and innocent phrase would cause such an uproar. For this, don’t look for ghosts where none exist. It is not the case for anyone.”
Cristiano Ronaldo will try to forget as quickly as possible this defeat:
“I feel destroyed, completely devastated, frustrated and with an unimaginable sadness.”
And he noted that as captain, he always has assumed and will assume his responsibilities.
Luis Figo: “In difficult times, the captain has to be the face of the group.”
El ex centrocampista portugués Luis Figo, que también llevó el brazalete de capitán, reconoció que no le había gustado la actitud de Cristiano Ronaldo tras la eliminación de Portugal a manos de España en el Mundial de Sudáfrica.
“Mi noción de lo que es un capitán puede ser diferente del de otras personas, pero un capitán, independientemente del éxito o del fracaso siempre tiene que defender el grupo. En los momentos difíciles debe de dar la cara por el grupo“.
Translation:
The former Portuguese midfielder Luis Figo, who also wore the captain’s armband, recognized that he didn’t like the attitude of Cristiano Ronaldo after the elimination of Portugal at the hands of Spain at the World Cup in South Africa.
“My notion is that a captain can be different than other people. But a captain, independently of the exit or massive disappointment, has to always defend the group. In difficult times, he has to be the face of the group.”
Spanish source: Marca.com, June 30, 2010.
Should Cristiano Ronaldo be taken to task for not performing the post-match duties of a team captain or were his actions and words misinterpreted? What do you think?
Steve Amoia is a freelance writer, editor and translator from Washington, D.C. He writes the World Football Commentaries blog. He has written for AC Cugini Scuola Calcio (Italian soccer school), Football Media, Keeper Skool and Soccerlens.
Add Sportslens to your Google News Feed!
