Blatter defends record Ronaldo move

AFP - 13 June 2009 00:20

Portugese midfielder Cristiano Ronaldo takes part in a training session in 2008. FIFA president Sepp Blatter on Friday defended Real Madrid´s world record 80 million pound swoop for Manchester United´s Ronaldo.

JOHANNESBURG (AFP) - FIFA president Sepp Blatter on Friday defended Real Madrid's world record 80 million pound swoop for Manchester United's Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo.

Blatter, speaking in the build-up to the Confederations Cup which gets underway on Sunday, said the huge fee proved that football was still an attractive business despite the global financial turndown.

"If we have a good market in football, it means we have a good product. But it is not only a product to sell or to buy, it gives people what they want; and that is emotions and entertainment," said Blatter.

"At the same time as Ronaldo's transfer ten years ago, there was a Picasso painting sold at Sotherby's in London for over 100 million pounds and what happened to it?

"They put it somewhere where no-one could see it or on display at a museum for a short period, but with a football player, you can see him once or twice a week.

"I heard yesterday that you could buy millions of pieces of bread to give to the people for that amount, but entertainment is also food for the people."

Comments (9)

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kidmeister

13 June 2009 00:57

Is it just a coincidence that Blatter is a member of Real Madrids official fan club!At least Platini has shown some nounce and come out and blasted it as pathetic the amount madrid has spent!Thought it was only English clubs that aren't allowed to spend excessive amounts on players!

Tontodonati

13 June 2009 02:18

kidmeister, what does Blatter's opinion have to do with Platini's? It may be that Blatter is a member of "Real Madrid official Fun Club," but I've heard that he's also a member of Milan, Barcelona, Liverpool, Benfica and Bayern's fun club.

forzarealus

13 June 2009 02:28

This is a very glib response by Blatter IMO. He's correct in his claim that football transfers take into consideration, more than on the pitch performance, but to put Ronaldo in the same global, social spectrum with Picasso is rediculous at best. Also, I feel it's irresponsible for him to make light of world hunger, saying ,

"I heard yesterday that you could buy millions of pieces of bread to give to the people for that amount, but entertainment is also food for the people."

I understand what he was TRYING to say (that football is an important part of peoples' lives), but he phrased it very poorly. That statement makes him seem insensitive.

ITalkSense

13 June 2009 03:44

"but entertainment is also food for the people" .....Easy enough for a BEACHED WHALE to say.....LMFAO

Tontodonati

13 June 2009 04:21

Forzaleus, Picasso failed to achieve resemblance. By that I mean that he smeared a canvas with paint and called it a window or a table. Windows and tables don’t look like the way Picasso painted them. I could do the same and there will invariably be those who will call me an artist. Ronaldo, on the other hand, scored goals that looked exactly like goals should look. As far as Blatter’s comment on buying bread for the people, he has, most likely, donated more money to charity than you have. If you wish to be politically correct, make sure you’re a politician first.

alboi

13 June 2009 04:48

Well since Sepp Blatter mentioned Picasso and linked him to football, I will say something about it.

Tonto, what you are referring to is called Cubism, a revolutionary art movement pioneered by Picasso and Braque in France around 1910. When you make that comment about Picasso, you fail to realize that he was the son of a painter and trained in art since early childhood. His numerous works don't only include cubism, but life-like portraits as well. Take a look at his works if you get the chance. If you can paint me something like Guernica, I'll happily retract my comment and offer an apology.

Tontodonati

13 June 2009 05:28

Alboi, thank you very much for the clarification. I was not aware of the “revolutionary art movement” called cubism. When I said that Picasso failed to achieve resemblance, I was quoting a contemporary of his, Ortega Y Gasset, a Spaniard also. But just to give you an idea, this is what Picasso himself stated: “When I paint, my object is to show what I have found and not what I’m looking for.” Get the idea? I’m also aware of Picasso portraits. I understand that you’re doing some university courses now. Well, I’ve done quite a few already including Picasso and his cubism.

oasisthunder

13 June 2009 06:20

Blatter's bladder must have broke & squeezed-out the remainder of urine that lay within! So Platini says 'niet' to the record (wasteful) Ronaldo transfer & Bletter says "yeah, sure!" Go figure with these 2 mixed-up Braddy Bunch Kids??

Whatever happens, though, YOU DECIDE! Visit:

http://pedromillan.blogspot.com/

& enter 2 win a pair of tickets to see Michaele Jacksonovitz at the Record Centre in Brooklyn New York (U.S.A.).

forzarealus

13 June 2009 07:35

Tonto,

I get what you're saying completely. I was really remarking on Blatter's lack of tact in making such a comment. I'm sure that not many people read much into it, nor are most people offended by it... he simply could have worded it better, that's all. As for Picasso... I'm very familiar with his works, and I know that "art" to some doesn't appeal to others, but, se la vi, right? Ronaldo IS an artist in his own right, certainly, but his work has not proven "timeless" like Picasso's has. And, of course Blatter has given more money to charity than I have! I work a 9 to 5, while Blatter is the head of football's governing body, so, logically he has more money to give. I wasn't trying to bash Sepp (at least not on this topic). I was making a simple comment that some of his statements lack relevance to each other and lack a bit of sensitivity. I'm sure he didn't mean to be hurtful at all but public figures should always choose their words with care