Alvaro Arbeloa has remarked on how Sepp Blatter should not have said what he did about Cristiano Ronaldo, as he reflects on being whistled by his own fans.
The FIFA President was recorded on video recently remarking of his preference for Lionel Messi over Ronaldo, whilst labelling the Portuguese a ‘commander’.
Drawing the ire of both Madrid and the player, Blatter has since apologised, but left Los Blancos’ experienced full-back concerned.
“A person in a position such as he is in cannot make those statements,” Arbeloa considered this week.
“The things he’s said in public and hearing what he says in private attracts attention. Everybody’s noticed.
“I don’t know if it explains a lot of things, but it can explain some. They’re things that nobody understands.
“You have to have a little more respect when you have a position like he has. Ronaldo is a reference point in the world of football.
“Whoever likes football has to like Cristiano Ronaldo. He’s one of the best forwards in the world and Real Madrid is lucky to have him.”
The right-back was talking after Madrid’s 7-3 win at home to Sevilla last night, which saw him whistled and applauded during the 90, after being seen as at fault for the visitor’s second goal before the break, which pulled the score-line then to a 3-2.
“I’m grateful to the fans for their support shown me and for those who were whistling, who I am grateful to for their assistance and demands so that I could improve.
“I believe that I have been whistled for the second goal, which was my mistake. The public has the right to let you know when you make a mistake. Such a demand for me serves as a motivation.
“The Bernabeu has always been a demanding crowd. When there are mistakes they let you know about them.
“That has always been the way at the Bernabeu, but it is also true that we have been applauded much and that there are those who come and offer us great affection.
“Whistling the Coach too? The public are free to give their opinion. But I think that Carlo Ancelotti is doing a great job. The players support him, we have to be together.
“Issues at the back? We are a very, very offensive team, we should have controlled the game more at 3-0. We cannot allow their counter-attacks and chances.”
