José Giménez, the Uruguayan national team defender, issued an apology statement with an emotional message to the Uruguayan fans following their exit from the World Cup.
José Giménez
Club: Atlético Madrid
The Uruguayan national team exited the 2026 World Cup from the first round after achieving only two points in Group H, which includes "Spain, Cape Verde, and Saudi Arabia."
Giménez said in an official statement on his Instagram account: "Everyone knows that football is beautiful, and it gives you unforgettable moments, but when it hits hard, you realize how painful it can be."
He continued, "We lived through very difficult days, as your mind and daily life constantly remind you of what happened. For us and our people, it was a failure. We worked hard, focused, and set our goal in front of us, and without a doubt, we tried, first to compete, then to achieve the goal that puts Uruguay in the place it deserves. Clearly, we did not succeed completely, and we are well aware of that."
He added, "I guarantee with my life that all my teammates gave everything they had for this jersey, whether they participated in the game or not, and this fills my heart with pride because you see and feel that every day. When the last match ended, I saw all their faces and saw the pain they were feeling."
He revealed, "On a personal level, four weeks before the World Cup started, my ankle was injured, and thanks to the work of the specialists who were with me, I was able to be ready and able to compete from the first match, and if I did not participate, it was not due to a lack of readiness."
He continued, "Without a doubt, all my teammates who participated tried to give their best because I know they played with their hearts. Neither arrogance nor ambition blinds my vision, and from my position, like the rest of my teammates, we tried to give everything we had, whether by encouragement, or with a word of 'let's go,' or any word that could convey a feeling or support."
He added, "Without adding more, I thank you all from the bottom of my heart, those who traveled, those who believed in us, and those who always supported us. Thank you very much, and I apologize to you. Know that your anger and pain are also our pain."
He revealed, "I will always be on the side of self-criticism, without justification or bias, on the side of those who analyze and speak rationally and honestly about the reality of this situation, on the side of those who take responsibility, and who work with all their heart to achieve their goals through study, work, and diligence."
He concluded, "And I will never be on the side of those who reached where they are through flattery, or those who make shocking statements just for a few extra views."
The Uruguayan national team drew with Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia and suffered a defeat against Spain by one goal to nil in the third and final round, exiting the World Cup early.
