June 3, 2025 — Luxury Blog
In the aftermath of the 2024/25 UEFA Europa Conference League final, Real Betis midfielder Johnny Cardoso has ignited controversy by claiming Chelsea’s win was undeserved. Cardoso, speaking out on social media, attributed Chelsea’s 2-1 victory to “luck and favoritism” from UEFA and the match referees.
Cardoso, who played the entire match in Betis’ narrow defeat, wrote:
> “We gave everything, but Chelsea’s win was thanks to luck and help from the refs. UEFA clearly had their favorite.”
The bold accusation drew immediate backlash from fans and football pundits worldwide. However, it was Chelsea’s manager, Enzo Maresca, who issued the most memorable response. In just nine words, he shut down the criticism:
> “Champions don’t complain. They win. Others make excuses.”
Maresca’s brief yet powerful reply quickly went viral, with supporters calling it “classy” and “the perfect comeback.” Following the reaction, Cardoso deleted his original post and has remained silent on the matter since.
Although Real Betis has not filed a formal complaint, the controversy has added tension between the two clubs. Despite the noise, UEFA has stood by the officiating, confirming no errors were found upon review and reaffirming the legitimacy of Chelsea’s win.
Chelsea’s triumph marks a significant achievement for Maresca and his squad, who overcame a season full of injuries and criticism. The coach’s firm leadership and no-nonsense style continue to earn him praise from fans.
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