From Reinaldo García and Carlos Nicolia: Nationality upsets Argentines – Roller Hockey

Passports and regulations motivate complaints from the stars of FC Porto and Benfica

First was Carlos Nicolia in an interview with registerNow Reinaldo García, captain of FC Porto, is showing his displeasure on social networks regarding his nationality.

In the case of the Dragon player, Reinaldo García regretted not having been granted Portuguese citizenship yet, despite having been in Portugal for more than five consecutive years.

“My home is in Portugal for more than five years in a row, and I never stopped having my home in Porto, even when I played in La Coruña or Barcelona. My children are Portuguese and my wife is Portuguese. Yes, we are all Portuguese, they are by birth, I welcome you, “he wrote on the media. social.

In the case of Benfica’s Carlos Nicolia, it’s different. The captain of the Argentine national team has dual citizenship and started the season with a “selection” status, that is, he was considered a Portuguese in the playing cards, because he had not represented Argentina for three consecutive years and because he had a Portuguese passport.

When he chose to represent Argentina at the World Cup in San Juan in November, Nicola was considered Argentine after the race. Since only five “unselectables” can be called up for tournament matches, a rule limiting the number of foreigners, Nicolia has begun to watch many matches from the stands, since Benfica now has six foreign players: Nicolia, Pablo Alvarez and Lucas Ordóñez (Argentine trio). ) and Edu Lamas and Nil Roca (dual Spain) and Roberto Di Benedetto (France).

“What saddens me is the fact that after the World Cup I became Argentine again in the tournament. It hurts me a lot. Portugal gave me the possibility to be Portuguese. I did everything to be Portuguese. That’s why I don’t understand that’s why I’m considered Argentine in the tournament. Despite being Captain of the Argentine national team, I’ve been in Portugal for almost ten years. If one day something bad happens to me – let’s hope not – I will be judged as Portuguese, not Argentine. I will never understand this regulation,” said Nicolia in an interview with Record in December.

Written by Rafael Godinho