The Real Madrid coach spoke at a press conference on the eve of the Champions League match against AC Milan (Tuesday, 9:00 p.m.).
“Hello everyone. This week has been marked by tragedy and sadness. Lots of emotion. We are very close to Valencia and all those affected. We are close to them and we hope that the problem will be resolved quickly .I want you to understand that talking about Football is complicated. We are part of this country and it affects a lot of people. press as simple as possible, because I don't have the heart to talk about football. Besides, for me it's a special match tomorrow. I will try to talk as little as possible. Thank you.
Is it difficult to prepare for such a match?
Yes, because you don't have the head for work. It's a terrible thing. We will prepare ourselves, because we are professionals. We will try to play and win, obviously. It's the best thing to do.
Was it logical not to play this weekend?
Everyone was clear. Nobody wanted to play. It seemed like the right decision. But it is not us who are responsible. It is the leaders who make this decision.
How do you feel?
The feeling is that we should talk about football as little as possible. Like I said, it's our job. We have an important and special match against Milan, but in the background.
Is football missing the opportunity to help?
There are many ways to help. Football had to stop this weekend and then football has to help.
Do you think football should have stopped completely?
Football is a party and you can celebrate and party when you are healthy. When your family is doing well and everyone is doing well. When people are not well, there is no reason to celebrate. Football must stop in these situations, in my opinion. Because it is the most important of the least important. But we cannot make these decisions. We are not the ones responsible.
Evaluation of the best coach trophy
I'm happy, the Ballon d'Or is over and we have to congratulate all the winners.
How do you think this tragedy was handled in Spain?
I cannot comment on how this tragedy was handled. You have to do your best to try to help.
Have the inhabitants of Valencia been abandoned?
They are frustrated, that's normal. But I'm not here to evaluate what politics did this week. I don't have the means to do it. It's hard to think about something like this in 2024. It's 2024, with all the information we have… You can know the exact time it starts to rain… and yet we are unable to avoid this kind of tragedy…
Have you ever seen anything similar?
It is an incredible disaster. People help a lot. This is what every citizen must do. Help these people who are very, very affected.
How did the group experience this week?
It's been a difficult week because the environment is not normal. But not because of what happened with the Ballon d'Or. It happened and that's it. Congratulations to the winners. The sadness is not there, but because of what is happening here in Spain.
What state is Vinicius in after losing the Ballon d'Or?
It's normal. He realizes what is happening. Fortunately we didn't play on Saturday and Vinicius trained well, like everyone else.
What do you think of the distance between politicians and citizens?
Politics is very complicated, in all countries. Giving an opinion on this… What is the fault of politics.. I don't know. But I see the frustration of people who have lost everything.
What leeway do athletes have to force them not to play?
Our power is 0. We cannot make any decisions. All the coaches wanted not to play. Some played, some didn't. The decision power of the coach in these cases is equal to 0. I am not the right person to answer this question. There's a line that says “the show must go on”, but it doesn't.
How is Vinicius psychologically?
Vinicius is sad, like us, but it's not because of the Ballon d'Or, it's because he looks at the situation in Valencia.
