“Not a good person,” UEFA President disappointed with Lionel Messi for not stopping Emiliano Martinez over obscene gestures
The Slovenian was unhappy with Martinez's gestures in Qatar
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UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin believed that Argentine captain Lionel Messi should have called attention towards the antics of his teammate Emiliano Martinez at the FIFA World cup. The Aston Villa shotstopper was seen holding a baby doll with the Kylian Mbappe’s face on it during the open-top bus parade in Buenos Aires. Argentina defeated Mbappe’s France on penalties to clinch the World cup trophy.
In the book “Messianico”, Ceferin admonishes Martinez’s gestures at the Lusail Stadium, “Messi should have said something. Told him to stop doing that, to show some respect “. The UEFA president was also unhappy with the lack of respect shown to Messi’s club teammate, Kylian Mbappe.
“If you see how he reacted during penalties. I can’t understand that he makes fun of Mbappé , the puppet thing and things like that. That’s not sportsmanship, it was primitive and I didn’t like it” Ceferin stated. The newly re-elected UEFA President believed that these gestures tarnished the celebration of such a great milestone. “That is not done. You won the World Cup! Show some greatness, show that you are not primitive.“
Ceferin, who highlights the “humility” of the Argentine captain, also highlights in that interview, Martinez’s “good job”. He concluded his comments cryptically, “You can be a perfect goalkeeper , but if you are not a good person.”
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Aleksander Ceferin re-elected as UEFA President
Aleksander Ceferin has been re-elected as UEFA President for a further four year term until 2027. The Slovenian was unopposed at the Ordinary Congress of European Soccer’s governing body. This will be Ceferin’s third term as president, having been elected for the first time in 2016.
Ceferin had succeeded Michel Platini as the president in 2016. The three time Ballon d’or winner was banned from football administration following the ongoing corruption case against him.
The Slovenian is still quite a popular figure at UEFA following his role in suppressing the proposed Super League. “Domestic leagues must remain the foundation of football.” was stated by Ceferin in opposition to the Super League. Ceferin has also been a huge advocate for the new UEFA Champions League format, which will include 36 teams and will be in effect starting from the 2024/25 season.
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Arpan Ghosh
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