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Roger Milla has criticized Ivory Coast striker Max Gradel for waving Moroccan flag during AFCON celebrations
Former Cameroon striker Roger Milla has criticised Ivorian player Max Gradel for waving the Moroccan flag during the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) victory celebrations.
The act, meant to express gratitude towards Morocco for their crucial win against Zambia, which aided Côte d'Ivoire's progression to the Round of 16, was deemed "very mean" by Milla towards other players and spectators.
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In a recent interview with Ivorian television channel La 3, Milla expressed his disapproval of Gradel's gesture, highlighting the importance of national pride and unity in such continental tournaments.
"It was inappropriate," Milla remarked, suggesting that Gradel should have prioritized the Ivorian flag during the victory celebrations.
"He should have taken the Ivorian flag and stepped onto the podium with it, first to collect the Cup with his medal and then celebrate with the spectators."
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While many Ivorian fans and players appreciated the gesture as a sign of camaraderie and solidarity among African nations, Milla's perspective offers a reminder of the complex interplay between national pride and regional support.
The former Cameroonian player further clarified that Côte d'Ivoire's qualification for the knockout stages was well-deserved, based on tournament regulations that allowed them to advance as the best third-placed team in the group stage.
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"Côte d'Ivoire wasn't given a free pass," he added, emphasizing the team's rightful place in the competition.
This is not the first time Milla has been vocal about his views on the participation and identity of North African countries in the AFCON.
In 2022, during an interview with TV5 Monde, he made headlines for questioning the African identity of countries like Morocco and Egypt and accused them of attempting to delay the 2021 AFCON. "If they are not African, they can go play in Europe, Asia, or any other, but they can't keep causing a mess in Africa," he stated.
Aside from his recent comments, Roger Milla is celebrated for his contributions to football, both on and off the field.
He remains a towering figure in the sport, known for his remarkable performance in the 1990 FIFA World Cup, where he became one of the oldest goalscorers in the tournament's history.
Milla's career began with Eclair de Douala in Cameroon before moving on to international clubs making a significant impact at every stop with his skill and charismatic celebrations.
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