ITV pundit Roy Keane blasted Atletico Madrid player as Portugal knocked out of Euro 2020 by Belgium
Thorgan Hazard's goal was enough to send Belgium through to the quarter finals as Portugal huffed and puffed but were unable to find a way past Thibaut Courtois. Atletico Madrid star Felix missed chances but so did Diogo Jota and crucially so has Cristiano Ronaldo. Throwing a young superstar under the bus for missing a couple of chances after coming on in the second half might not be the most productive thing to do but former Manchester United captain Roy Keane does enjoy it.
Roy Keane and imposter Joao Felix
While working as a TV pundit for ITV, an inexplicably furious Keane said of Felix when he came on in the 55th minute: “That guy's an imposter. He’s an imposter, he comes on – hit the target! £100million? If I was Ronaldo I’d certainly be going after him in the dressing room.”
Roy Keane had some strong words for Joao Felix today against Belgium 🤭 pic.twitter.com/QtzH9Y3VBX
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) June 27, 2021
While the level headed among us may not deem Joao Felix's short cameo worthy of such vitriol, Keane's demand for Ronaldo to "go after" the youngster is particularly jarring. It's impossible to suggest that Ronaldo isn't key for Portugal, he's their best ever player and even in this tournament he's once again been their talisman, but the hyperbolic adoration is troublesome. Ronaldo, or "Penaldo" as he's less-than-lovingly known on Twitter, in many ways gives less than he takes away.
The Juventus star often takes pop shots when he has no clear sight of goal, he shoots from long range free kicks when a ball into the box would be a better decision, he runs into blind alleys trying to take on three defenders. He plays like he's George Weah on international duty with Liberia. The problem is that there are some outstanding players around him who might benefit from being involved in play a little bit more. Of his 16 attempts at Euro 2020, only 8 were on target, one of those was a tap-in from two yards out and three were penalties. That's 4 shots on target from 12 attempts - not exactly stats which give you the right to dig out a 21-year-old for missing a couple of chances.
Take nothing away from Ronaldo. He converted the penalties, he's created chances and he's played well. The real problem may lie in Portugal's inability to let go of their icon and move forward with the group of outrageously talented players they have in attacking areas - Diogo Jota, Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, and crucially Joao Felix. Keane sounded like that bloke in the pub who only watches football at major tournaments when he criticised Felix for missing two chances which really cannot be described as easy - a shot from 20 yards out and a header sandwiched between two defenders. In his solitary 35 minutes at the tournament, Felix had three attempts on goal, one on target and two off target. It's not great but perhaps if he played more he might be a little bit more clinical.
🗣 “He’s an impostor.”
— La Liga Lowdown 🧡🇪🇸⚽️ (@LaLigaLowdown) June 28, 2021
Roy Keane didn’t hold back in his criticism of #POR’s Atlético Madrid forward João Félix.
Stats vs Belgium:
⏱ 35 minutes played
💥 3 shots
🎯 83% pass accuracy
💪 5/5 battles won
🤕 2 free-kicks won#LLL
🧡🇪🇸⚽️ pic.twitter.com/FPsjqmxg1z
Not only that but stats don't tell the whole story. Felix was bright and adventureous going forward during his first playing time in over three weeks. He made things happen, he was on the front foot. Ronaldo stood around sulking most of the time because his teammates dared to not score with every touch. At times his body language is appalling and he must be a toxic influence on his teammates. I'm sure Jota and co don't like being screamed at all the time.
Keane was so far off the mark with this one. This kind of punditry in which we talk about heading to the dressing room to verbally or physically intimidate players for missing the target has really had its day and must be on the way out.
Ronaldo needs to retire and let players like Felix take the country forward. Roy Keane needs a holiday.
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