REAL MADRID legend Michel Salgado insists blaming Loris Karius’ mistakes on concussion is “stupid”.
And he is adamant that picking on Sergio Ramos for his antics in the final is an “excuse” for Liverpool’s defeat.
Spain icon Ramos was at the centre of three flash points in Los Blancos’ Champions League final win over Jurgen Klopp’s side.
He was said to have concussed Karius with a barge, nearly wrecked Mo Salah’s World Cup dream with a grapple and was guilty of a shocking piece of play-acting.
But former Bernabeu defender Salgado has backed the Real captain, saying it is unfair that he is being vilified.
Betfair ambassador Salgado, speaking at Betfair’s Road to Russia preview, said of the furore surrounding Ramos: “I think it’s excuses. I saw everything and it has nothing to do with football.
“I don’t know why they are criticising him.
“The one with Salah, it is a 50-50, it is a struggle. Both go down. He was diving and to be honest Salah gets caught on the shoulder.
“He is unlucky, there is no intention at all.
“It was a strong moment for both sides. It was a 50-50 and it is stupid to criticise him for that.
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“On the goalkeeper I can’t even talk about this stupid thing about concussion or whatever.
“It is two big mistakes [he made]. I am really sad for the kid because he’s a young guy.
“He will never forget what happened in this final and hopefully it won’t affect his future.
“But I don’t know why the press is putting pressure on Sergio Ramos for something so stupid.”
Zinedine Zidane stunned football by resigning as manager in the wake of Real’s third straight Champions League win.
But Salgado believes he will return to the Bernabeu hotseat and that he had planned his departure months in advance.
Salgado, who also reckons Zidane is “perfect” for the France job, said: “We were all surprised and shocked when the decision was announced. I don’t think the decision was made straight after the Champions League final.
“I know Zidane really well and when he makes a decision he is really stubborn. He made the decision months ago – the same when he retired.
“He was stressed by being manager. The Real Madrid bench is stressful, difficult, not only for him but his family.
“He made history in just two-and-a-half years but he feels tired, needs a rest.
“But I don’t rule out him coming back to Real Madrid. This is not the last moment of Zidane at Real Madrid. I see him coming back.”
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