It is somewhat understandable that Cristiano Ronaldo had a melt down during this interview/product promotion. Having attended numerous events in this format I can tell you that the athlete shows up expecting to do nothing but pitch whatever product it is they’re selling. The publicists and agents expect the same thing.
However, that’s just not realistic. It’s not the media’s job to sell whatever products are endorsed by Ronaldo (or any other athlete in situations such as these) If all you’re going to do promote something, then simply don’t invite the media. Because the media are going to ask real questions.
That said, Ronaldo could have handled this more professionally.
Ronaldo was quizzed about FIFA and their horrible mistake to hold an upcoming World Cup in Qatar. His response.:
“This is bullshit. Speak about FIFA, I don’t care about FIFA. And Qatar … I don’t give a fuck. What you want me to do? Speak about product, he speaks about FIFA … come on.”
That was in English by the way; it’s not in translation. Ronaldo should care, because FIFA headlines have been dominant this summer, and Sepp Blatter’s decision to step down is huge. It sends aftershocks throughout the sport. The corrupting influences that led to the Qatar blunder is a big deal too. Ronaldo should care about these things, and although I totally understand his frustration, he won no sympathy with his “speak about product” command. Again, not the media’s job to sell his products.
CNN’s English transcript of the interview is here. You can watch the video in the Tweet below.
Watch Cristiano Ronaldo melt down during an interview after being asked about FIFA http://t.co/hFsNzquCll
— TIME (@TIME) August 4, 2015
Again, maybe it’s time to do away with this kind of format. Ronaldo had a similar blow-up recently when he was asked about his future at Real Madrid. Although I don’t have much sympathy for Ronaldo in this situation, I do have sympathy for him in the previous scenario, because while this situation included a valid question. The previous one did not.
Asking him about his contract situation many years down the road was a ridiculous question.
Paul M. Banks owns, operates and writes The Sports Bank.net, which is part of the FOX Sports Engage Network.Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes to the Chicago Tribune RedEye edition. He also appears regularly on numerous talk radio stations all across the country.
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