Ronaldo wasted in World Cup, says Erdoğan

ERZURUM

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said that Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronald was wasted and a political sanction was implemented against him amid the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

Within the scope of his ruling Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) program called “My first vote to Erdoğan and AKP,” Erdoğan met students of Atatürk University at a meeting in the eastern province of Erzurum.

Following talks on politics, the World Cup that took place in Qatar between Nov. 20 and Dec. 18, came to the agenda of the meeting.

“Argentina played magnificently at penalties. They got the World Cup trophy after 30 years. [We wish] the same to us,” Erdoğan said regarding the final match between Argentina and France.

Making a comparison between Argentina’s captain Lionel Messi and French star Kylian Mbappe, the president said, “Mbappe threatens the future. He is 23 years old. But, Messi, who is 34, threw his weight around with his experience.”

When asked how he consoled French President Emmanuel Macron, with whom he watched the final match, Erdoğan stated, “I said, ‘Macron, do not be sorry. Argentine played well.’”

The president then raised the issue of Ronaldo, who was benched at Portugal’s matches against Switzerland and Morocco. “Ronaldo was wasted,” he said. “Unfortunately, a political sanction was implemented against him.”

“Benching a footballer like Ronaldo… Bringing him into play in the second half… All these de-energized him,” Erdoğan said.

Calling 37-year-old Ronaldo “a man claiming the Palestinian cause,” Erdoğan also commented on allegations about the Portuguese star’s transfer to Saudi Arabian team Al Nassr.

“According to the information I have, Ronaldo is going to Saudi Arabia,” he said, adding that Mbappe will “follow the same” in the future, without mentioning a date.