Federico Valverde, figure of the Uruguayan national team and Real Madrid.
The Uruguayan football team took advantage of the FIFA date to play three friendlies and continue preparations for Qatar 2022, after having just passed the South American qualifiers.
They beat Mexico 3-0 and drew goalless with the United States, both games played on North American soil, and then beat Panama 5-0 at the Montevideo Centenario. In any case, the highlight of this series of matches was an extra football episode that took place on the eve of the last of those matches.
The controversial scene. All of Uruguay poses with Lacalle Pou as Valverde crouches in the background.
A few minutes before the start of the match against the Central American team, Uruguayan president Luis Lacalle Pou took to the field to take a photo with the players and with some managers and members of the coaching staff of also diegobut at the same time Federico Valverde crouched behind his teammates and sparked the controversy.
Since that time it has received a lot of criticism, mainly through social networks and the local press. His attitude was branded as a lack of respect for national authority and there were also those who interpreted that he wanted to leave a political message.
In the midst of the controversy, the 23-year-old footballer came out to deny all these versions and published, this Thursday, a letter on his Instagram account in which he clarified what had happened and apologized.
“Football played a bad joke on me,” says Valverde in his post. There he also explains that “I was involved in the game and my head just wanted to play ball”. And then he closes by asking forgiveness from his people, with words in which he reaffirms his patriotism.
“Maybe it’s not the way you expect me to defend a country, but I don’t know how to do it except with the ball at my feet,” Valverde apologizes.
Federico Valverde’s letter:
I didn’t go out to speak earlier because I felt I didn’t have to explain my actions on a soccer field, but after several days of getting a lot of criticism I feel compelled to sit down to write, almost with tears in my eyes.
I’ve always been a low-key guy. I have never raised my voice and have never had any problems with anyone. Whenever I can, I try to go unnoticed, simply for one reason: I only live for and for football.
This time football played a bad joke on me. True, it was getting longer. It is true that I have adjusted my socksbut it’s also true that he wasn’t paying attention at the time the photo was taken. I was in the game and my head just wanted to play ball.
I left Uruguay as a child, but I have never forgotten where I was born. I love my country and for that I know they deserve my apologies.
Sorry. I’m sorry for those who believe that I disrespect the President. I’m sorry for those who think you disrespect the National Pavilion. I am sorry for those who have felt offended and think that I have lined up for a political position.
It might not be the way you expect me to defend a country, but I can’t do it except with the ball at my feet.
sorry and thanks,
Federico Valverde.
Source: Clarin
