Cristiano Ronaldo’s red card in the 82nd minute of Real Madrid’s match against Córdoba still resonates with José Ángel Crespo. The incident, which involved a physical altercation with Edimar and a collision with Crespo, marked a turning point in the defender’s career.
A Difficult Aftermath
Crespo opened up about the challenges he faced after the incident in an interview with ZonaMixta. He recalled the Córdoba president advising him to stay quiet and avoid criticizing Ronaldo or Real Madrid, citing the president’s friendship with Florentino Pérez. Crespo was essentially told to disappear from the public eye, a demand that took a toll on his personal life. His mother would call him, worried about journalists waiting outside their village home.
The fallout from the incident led to a significant change in Crespo’s career trajectory. He stopped playing in Spain after the 2015-2016 season and went on to play for PAOK in Salónica, Greece, for six seasons. He then represented APOEL in Nicósia, Cyprus, for two seasons before retiring at 38. The experience left a lasting impact on Crespo, a reminder of the intense scrutiny and pressure that comes with playing at the highest level.