Ricardo Carvalho leaves the NT
One of the most shocking pieces of news to come out of the Portuguese football world, was not the various transfers, but in fact the surprising news of Ricardo Carvalho’s immediate decision to quit the Seleccão. The news was not one fans would expect to hear amidst transfer deadline day drama. But that is exactly what fans focused on. No one knew the full story, just that Carvalho walked away from the training camp. Early speculation proved to be true, that coach Paulo Bento had indeed told Carvalho that he would not be picked for the Euro qualifying game against Cyprus. No one is quite sure exactly what was said but not only did that player leave the camp, he left the team indefinitely. Bento has since launched a press conference saying Carvalho’s decision is one that ultimately leaves the team with only twenty two players but also leaves Carvalho without a spot in the team as long as Bento is in charge.
The question is, who is right. The player or manager, an age long question. Was Carvalho right in leaving? Or is Bento right in not keeping a spot saved for Carvalho in case he changes his mind and for not picking him? One can’t say, but at the end of the day the fans must stand behind the team regardless. The other twenty two players who are standing there, willing to fight for the country even if they do sit on the bench, they are the ones who should be backed by the fans. Bento’s selection is a questionable one but is it one someone should quit over? Who is to say he wouldn’t have seen any playing time just because he wasn’t starting or that he wouldn’t have stared any other games. Is it worth it to risk your entire national team career over one game? To Ricardo Carvalho it is.
So what does this say for Portugal? Over the past few years there have been several notable retirements from the National team including Tiago Mendes, Simão Sabrosa, and Paulo Ferreira. So while the team has lost key senior players many still stand (Cristiano Ronaldo is not a senior player in the traditional sense but a veteran in the sense he has been there since Euro 2004). Many of the players now called up have only seen action sen a handful of games. Is this a team that can qualify and compete at Euro 2012? Or will the team be out shined by the recent achievements of the U20 squad?
If they the U20 team (and to a degree to the U21 team) continue to do well would we see those players in the squad? Some would argue no. Too inexperienced some would say. Others would say experience comes with being called up. By the time the tournament rolls around, most will be 21-22. Is that an age in which it is acceptable to see senior level call ups, especially if called up for the first team of whatever club they play for. Not to mention many other Portuguese players who could fill the gap left behind by some. Are they good enough to be a Euro winning squad?
No one knows for sure, only the future can tell who Paulo Bento will call as his final squad. Maybe there won’t be any surprises and maybe there will be a few names who raise eyebrows. However the focus is now on the qualifying game against Cyrpus. If they fail to win, chances for the tournament begin to diminish. The team must look beyond what has happened. Personal friendships and club teammates must not pick sides. They must pick the team and put all their focus on the game. Without it they will see themselves embarrassed and possibly on the bench much like Carvalho would have found himself.
No one is saying Carvalho isn’t a professional and a great player. But this will surely tarnish his history. One can understand being upset and angry but do you turn your back on the team? On the fans? On your country? Or do you put yourself and your own talents first? It’s hard to say but one thing is for sure, Ricardo Carvalho’s international career is officially over. Time for the next round of center backs to step up, it could be your time to shine.
