Mathys Tel Opens Up About Champions League Squad Exclusion and His Emotional Reaction
Mathys Tel recently shared his feelings on being excluded from the Champions League squad and his emotional journey following a penalty controversy. The young French footballer endured racist abuse on social media after missing a penalty during a shoot-out against Paris Saint-Germain in August.
Resilience in the Face of Adversity
Despite the negative backlash, Tel remained undeterred. He stepped up to take another crucial penalty for the France Under-21s just last week. Tel expressed his intention to take more penalties for Tottenham Hotspur in the future. “I will take a penalty again. No fear,” he stated emphatically.
He likened his determination to the late Kobe Bryant, emphasizing the importance of perseverance. “You need to try to have success. You will make mistakes, but that’s part of the journey,” he explained. Tel is comfortable with making errors, viewing them as essential steps toward improvement.
The Impact of Racism on Players
The racist comments he faced after missing the penalty were not unfamiliar to him. Having experienced similar incidents during his time at Bayern Munich, Tel acknowledged the emotional toll such abuse can inflict. “These types of bad comments still hurt you,” he remarked.
Tel urged social media companies to take more decisive action against online abuse. “It’s too easy to be disrespectful online. We need protection for everyone, especially kids,” he mentioned, stressing the need for accountability on these platforms.
Proving His Worth
After contemplating the pressure of penalties, Tel decided to push through his doubts. “I was thinking, ‘I don’t want to miss again.’ I shot and scored,” he recounted, highlighting his mental preparation and resilience in tough situations.
In addition to his on-field efforts, Tel also took the time to give back to the community. He participated in a session organized by the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation, where he interacted with schoolchildren. To inspire them, he donated 40 Tottenham shirts, personally signing each one.
- Player: Mathys Tel
- Incident: Missing a penalty, receiving racist abuse
- Team: France Under-21s, Tottenham Hotspur
- Inspiration: Kobe Bryant
- Action: Advocated for better social media protections
- Community Engagement: Donated shirts to children
Mathys Tel’s journey reflects both challenges and triumphs. He continues to strive for success while advocating for a respectful environment in sports and beyond.
