Ex-Footballer Giovanni Rosso Slams Eyal Berkovic's Political Commentary
Translated & summarized from Ice by baba
Former Croatian football player Giovanni Rosso publicly criticized Israeli football legend Eyal Berkovic's political commentary, calling it "nonsense" and questioning his intelligence. Rosso contrasted Berkovic with other respected Israeli players, stating Berkovic would only earn his respect if he had more intelligence. The dispute between the two players, who were once teammates, has been ongoing for years and recently resurfaced during discussions about the national team. Both players had significant careers in Israeli football and transitioned into media roles after retiring.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Giovanni Rosso attacked Eyal Berkovic's political commentary as "nonsense" and questioned his intelligence.
- Rosso stated Berkovic would only earn his respect if he possessed more intelligence than he did skill.
- The feud between the former teammates dates back years and recently resurfaced over national team discussions.
- Rosso contrasted Berkovic unfavorably with other Israeli football legends like Ouhana.
- Both Rosso and Berkovic had notable careers in Israeli football and became media personalities post-retirement.
Former Croatian football star Giovanni Rosso has launched a scathing personal attack on his ex-teammate Eyal Berkovic, criticizing Berkovic's political commentary in the Israeli media. Speaking on the sports podcast "Kickoff," Rosso dismissed Berkovic's political opinions as "nonsense," questioning his intelligence and suggesting he is a "masochist" for engaging in political discussions. Rosso contrasted Berkovic unfavorably with other Israeli football legends, citing Ouhana as an example of a player who displayed "class" and "respect." Rosso stated that Berkovic would only earn his respect if he possessed "ten percent of the intelligence he had in his legs," adding that with such intelligence, Berkovic "would be the prime minister."
The animosity between Rosso and Berkovic dates back years, despite playing together for Maccabi Tel Aviv during the 2005/06 season. Rosso, who has strong ties to Maccabi Haifa, having served as a mental coach and ambassador, has previously expressed anger over Berkovic's sharp criticism of Maccabi Haifa's president, Yaakov Shahar, and the club itself. Tensions resurfaced recently during discussions about the national team coach and historical comparisons with stars like Avi Nimni, leading to public exchanges on social media and in the press.
Giovanni Rosso, 53, is considered one of the most significant foreign players in Israeli football history. He played in Israel from 1996 to 2008 for Hapoel Haifa, Maccabi Haifa, Beitar Jerusalem, and Maccabi Tel Aviv, winning championships and reaching the Champions League with Maccabi Haifa. He also represented Croatia 19 times, including in Euro 2004. After retiring, he became a television personality, winning "Survivor VIP."
Eyal Berkovic, 54, is regarded as one of Israel's greatest players. A gifted playmaker, he had a distinguished career with Maccabi Haifa, Southampton, West Ham, Celtic, Manchester City, and the Israeli national team. After retiring, he became a prominent and provocative media figure, currently serving as a commentator and presenter for Channel 13.