Rayo Vallecano President Slams Lech Poznań’s “Miserable” Locker Room Video, Cites Ronaldo and Messi’s Past Use
The president of Spanish club rayo Vallecano, Raúl martín Presa, has vehemently criticized a video released by Polish side Lech Poznań, labeling it “miserable.” The video, shared on Lech Poznań’s social media channels, highlighted and seemingly mocked the condition of the locker rooms at Rayo Vallecano’s Vallecas stadium. Presa, speaking before the teams’ recent match, pointed out that global superstars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have previously used the same facilities without complaint, suggesting the criticism was unwarranted and arrogant.
“Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi have changed here and they haven’t made any objections,” Presa stated to Movistar+. “And no Lech Poznań player has the athletic stature of them. It seems to me to be very arrogant.”
The controversial video, reportedly filmed during Lech Poznań’s visit, depicted the visiting team’s locker room as basic, with mismatched towels, aged wooden benches, a dimly lit massage area, and plastic chairs described as reminiscent of “80s birthday parties.” The Polish club’s social media post characterized the facilities as being “from the 80s.”
Presa Defends Vallecas Stadium Facilities, Calls Video “Unspeakable”
Presa did not hold back in his condemnation of the video, calling the act “miserable” and expressing Rayo Vallecano’s profound disappointment. “The video seems miserable to me,” he declared. “In life, mocking, mocking, laughing at the humility or poverty of a sporting entity is something unspeakable.”
He acknowledged that the vallecas Stadium’s locker rooms might not be as luxurious as those found in more modern or affluent venues, such as Anoeta or the Santiago Bernabéu.However, he firmly asserted that the facilities are perfectly adequate and meet all necessary UEFA standards, especially after meaningful renovations undertaken over the summer. “It is a locker room that is suitable. Surely it is not a luxurious locker room… but it is a worthy locker room,” Presa emphasized.
A Call for local Support and Stadium Investment
Presa also drew a stark contrast between the support Lech Poznań received for their stadium development and the challenges Rayo Vallecano faces. He pointed out that lech Poznań benefited from substantial public funding, including contributions from the Poznań City Council and the Polish government, for their stadium, which was renovated for the 2012 European Championship at a cost of €166 million. “Perhaps we are not as lucky as lech Poznań,” Presa remarked wryly.
He then made a direct appeal for similar investment in Vallecas. “We would rather our local authorities spend the same amount to build us a stadium,” he stated. “I’ve been saying for a while how old our stadium is and putting everything in to build a stadium, but we don’t have the necessary support.”
Presa: football Should Unite, Not Divide
Concluding his remarks, Presa stressed the negative impact of such actions on the spirit of football. “Beyond the ugly, it is the heating of the atmosphere that this can generate,” he said. “Football is to unite, to strengthen ties between countries and fans and this has been quite the opposite.”
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