Ronaldo Nazario was chosen by FIFA to present the trophy-jewel created by Tiffany & Co to reward the winner of next summer’s Club World Cup. In better shape (he has lost weight) and with a smile, something usual in the former Real Madrid and Barcelona center forward, he had time to review for MARCA what can be expected from the new competition prepared by Gianni Infantino. “A little late, but of course I would have liked to play in such a competition, but if I could I would have liked to play it with Real Madrid of course,” said the current president of Real Valladolid.
What do you think of the idea of a World Cup with club crests and not national team flags?
Cristiano Ronaldo loses a soccer challenge against a fan and costs MrBeast a million dollars
It is something new, but I think it will go well. Soccer is a World Cup party and it is fair that many teams from all over the world come and that they can face each other and see the level they have when they play against European teams. It’s a whole World Cup and I think it’s going to surprise a lot of people. I’m looking forward to coming and following some games. There are many incredible venues and also in the United States, a country that believes a lot in soccer and that has the possibility of seeing a Club World Cup and national teams. It’s going to be two spectacular years without a doubt.
A star-studded line-up, with only the retired Toni Kroos, Lamine and… Ronaldo Nazario missing.
I would have liked to be among them, I wish, but the years passed me by, but now it is their turn to live and make history. What I feel is that football will be very well represented, with stars of all kinds. It is true that I am still with my favorite, which is Vinicius, who is having another great season and I am looking forward to seeing him here playing in the United States, in the World Cup.
Don’t you think there is a big difference between the teams from Europe and South America and the rest?
It will not be easy to get out of the group (two qualify), but it will be important to see the level of those lesser-known teams, even us, the South Americans, and see how we are against the European giants. It will be a good experience.
Messi is going to be one of the main attractions of the tournament.
He’s going to have to be very Messi to be able to advance in the tournament. It’s not going to be easy for him. The best thing is that they are going to play very important matches, with great teams. Some clubs are growing and will face other very established ones, although the tournament comes at the end of the season the favorites will be the Europeans, but they can be surprised, especially the Brazilians. Botafogo has a great team, with good players, tall, powerful… Now it seems that Brazilian teams are ahead of Argentinean teams. They are streaks, before it was the other way around. In Brazil there is quite a lot of money, Argentina has more problems. Clubs in Brazil are improving their management, but there is still a lot to do in Brazil. The soccer industry has to grow.
What did you think when Real Madrid player Vinicius Junior was left without the award?
Vinicius should have won the Ballon d’Or, which has missed a great opportunity to crown Vinicius as the best in the world. It has nothing to do with Rodri, to be clear, but Vinicius was much more decisive during last season.
The Ballon d’Or missed a great opportunity to crown Vinicius as the best in the world
Real Madrid is not having a good time, what do you say to Florentino Perez?
What can I say, the real Ballon d’Or winner is Florentino Perez, he is a father to me. He taught me a lot and gave me everything in the world of football.
It seemed that Real Madrid with Mbappe was going to be invincible and the reality is quite different…
In football anything can happen. There can be good and bad runs. You don’t have to look so much at the small details. Mbappe means a lot to Real Madrid and he is going to be very important. Both Real Madrid and Mbappe have a lot of credit.
There can be good and bad streaks. You don’t have to look so much at the small details. Mbappe represents a lot for Real Madrid and is going to be very important
Your big concern right now is Valladolid…
I see myself here talking about Mbappe and the one in Valladolid… Things are not going well and we have many problems. We are on a very bad run, but we are going to fight to get out and improve. There have been changes and we will see what happens, counting on luck as well. We have to work. We have made a change to try to get out of the situation.
We are on a very bad run, but Valladolid are going to fight to get out and improve. There have been changes and we’ll see what happens
The solution does not seem simple, does it?
There is a big difference in budgets and it ends up being seen on the field.
Footballers are reaching the elite at a younger and younger age, is that good or bad?
When players like Lamine arrive… Now the next one will be Estevao, who will go to Chelsea. You have to take care of them, but everything has advanced, perhaps too much. Everything has improved, but you have to go step by step.
The calendar and injuries have been the protagonists in recent months…
It’s not something that worries me too much, but it is true that we all have to talk and come to a solution for the calendar. There are many players missing the season because of injuries. We have to respect and listen to the players. I’m sure a solution will be found.
We must respect and listen to the players. I’m sure a solution will be found
Can the World Cup narrow the economic gap between soccer in one continent and others?
I feel the same way with Valladolid. We are promoted to the First Division and we find ourselves with consolidated teams, with budgets of more than 100 million and we have much less. It is difficult for us to compete. We have to find a balance between all of us, but I don’t think it will change much with the World Cup.
