The celebrations of Brazilian players after the goals in the 4-1 victory over South Korea, this Monday (5), did not please Roy Keane, 51, former midfielder, now coach. At the World Cup, he is working at the British ITV.
The Irishman, who spent much of his career at Manchester United, accused the Brazilians of being “disrespectful” to their opponents, who, he said, were big underdogs in the Round of 16.
“I don’t like that,” he said, before adding: “I think it’s disrespecting rivals.”
“It’s four [gols], and they are doing it all the time. I don’t mind the first kind of ginga — whatever they’re doing — but they’re still doing it, then they do it again, and then the coach gets involved. I’m not happy about it, I don’t think it’s good.”
Regarding the performance of the selection, Keane surrendered to the football of Neymar and company.
“I can’t believe what I’m seeing, really,” he said. “Brilliant, brilliant Brazil, fantastic start to the game. But I’ve never seen so much dancing. It’s like watching Strictly [tipo de Dança dos Famosos]🇧🇷 I can’t believe what I’m watching, I really can’t.”
In contrast to Keane’s criticisms, another ITV commentator, former English player Eni Aluko, was full of praise for the Brazilian choreography: “I loved it, it’s like we were at a Brazilian party. That’s why Brazil is favourite, but the South Korea made it easy.”
In the mixed zone of the 974 stadium, where the players talk to journalists, Lucas Paquetá and Raphinha defended the selection against Keane’s criticism.
“The dance symbolizes the joy of scoring a goal. We don’t do it to disrespect, we don’t go in front of the opponent, we don’t do anything. Everyone is there, and we celebrate, it’s our moment. If he doesn’t like it, we don’t have much to do for him”, declared Paquetá.
“If we score a goal, we will continue celebrating. It is a group that is happy to score the goal, is happy to conquer the victory, the objective. So, each one celebrates in his own way. The only thing he has to do is respect,” he added.
Raphinha was more direct.
“The problem is those who don’t like it, because we’re going to keep doing it.”
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