A.Onaldo Nazario was chosen by FIFA to present the jewel trophy 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, usual for the former Real Madrid and Barcelona center forward, he had time to review for MARCA what we can expect 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?
It's something new, but I think it will go well. Football is a World Cup celebration and it's right that many teams from all over the world come and can compete and see the level they have when they play European teams. It's quite a World Cup and I think it's going to surprise a lot of people. I can't wait to come watch some matches. There are many incredible venues, especially in the United States, a country that believes a lot in football and has the opportunity to see a Club World Cup and national teams. These will undoubtedly be two spectacular years.
A squad of stars, with only the retired Toni Kroos, Lamine and… Ronaldo Nazario missing.
I would have liked to be among them, I hope so, but the years have passed me by, but now it is their turn to live and write history. What I feel is that football will be very well represented, with stars from all sides. It's true that I'm still with my favorite, who is Vinicius, who is having another great season and I can't wait to see him play here 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 won't be easy to get out of the group (two qualified), but it will be important to see the level of these lesser known teams, even us South Americans, and to see where 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 will have to be very Messi to be able to advance in the tournament. This isn't going to be easy for him. The best thing is that they will play very important matches, with great teams. Some clubs are growing and will face other very established clubs, even if 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, big, powerful… It now seems that the Brazilian teams are ahead of the Argentinian teams. These are streaks, before it was the opposite. In Brazil there is a lot of money, but in Argentina there are more problems. Brazilian clubs are improving their management, but there is still a lot to do in Brazil. The football industry needs to grow.
What did you think when Real Madrid player Vinicius Junior was left without a reward?
Vinicius should have won the Ballon d'Or, which missed a great opportunity to crown Vinicius as the best in the world. This has nothing to do with Rodri, to be clear, but Vinicius was much more decisive last season.
The Ballon d'Or missed a great opportunity to crown Vinicius as the best in the world
Real Madrid are not having a good time, what do you say to Florentino Pérez?
What can I say, the real winner of the Ballon d'Or 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 Mbappé was going to be invincible and the reality is very different…
In football, anything can happen. There can be good and bad paths. You don't need to worry too much about the little details. Mbappe means a lot to Real Madrid and he is going to be very important. Real Madrid and Mbappé have a lot of credit.
There can be good and bad streaks. You don't need to worry too much about the little details. Mbappé means a lot to Real Madrid and will be very important
Your big concern at the moment is Valladolid…
I see myself here talking about Mbappé and that of Valladolid… Things are not going well and we have a lot of problems. We are in a very bad situation, but we will fight to get through it and improve. There have been changes and we will see what happens, also counting on luck. We have to work. We made a change to try to get out of the situation.
We are in a very bad situation, but Valladolid will fight to get out of it and improve. There have been changes and we will see what happens
The solution doesn't seem simple, does it?
There is a big difference in budget and it ends up being seen on the ground.
Footballers are reaching the elite at younger and younger ages, is this a good or bad thing?
When players like Lamine arrive… Now the next one will be Estevao, who will go to Chelsea. You have to take care of it, but everything has progressed, perhaps too much. Everything has improved, but you have to take it 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's true that we all need to talk and find a solution for the calendar. Many players miss the season due to injuries. We must respect and listen to the players. I am sure a solution will be found.
You have to respect and listen to the players. I'm sure a solution will be found
Can the World Cup reduce the economic gap between the football of one continent and that of others?
I feel the same with Valladolid. We are promoted to the First Division and we find ourselves with consolidated teams, with budgets of over 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 that will change much with the World Cup.
Source link: https://www.marca.com/en/football/spanish-football/2024/12/07/6754655446163f9a868b4592.html