This is an exit that has not gone unnoticed in the current context. After the failure of theFrench team in the semi-final of Euro 2024 against Spain, Jorge Sampaoli was invited by the magazine So Foot to take stock of the continental tournament. And the Argentinian coach made very harsh remarks towards Ousmane Dembélé.
” When he overflows, the other players are like spectators watching how the action will end. They know that he plays like an autistic person: he starts the action and finishes it all by himself, thundered the Argentinian. He does not have the ability to make a teammate shine, he only knows how to make himself shine” .
Sampaoli apologizes
This statement has caused a bit of controversy. While the terms used to describe Dembélé are very vehement, they have also and above all been perceived as inappropriate words towards autism. Jorge Sampaoli has acknowledged having gone too far and has apologized.
” “I never intended to refer to autism,” the former Olympique de Marseille coach admitted. “I apologize to everyone. I wanted to talk about individuality. More than ever, we must be careful with the words we use.”” he concluded.
