I couldn't sleep last night. My attitude was irreflected and a bad example to everyone, specially children. I know punishments will come, starting from Dinamo Zagreb fans, the Club, the press, UEFA and like always, I wilI take responsibility over all my actions.
Yesterday was the birthday of my Father, who loves football. I promissed him a victory and that if I scored I would dedicate the goal to him for everything he did for me. But it went exactly the opposite...
I have two little sons who also love football and I teach them the same message that my father passed to me when I was a child: when you support a team you support them in good and in bad moments. No matter what, your team is your family. And you defend your family, no matter what.
I am a footballer now so I'm on the pitch, not on the stands anymore. My job is to run, to work, to help the team to win. But I understand how it feels to be on the stands and how frustrating it is sometimes. Because I am still a supporter when I'm not playing in the pitch. I do understand you.
Dinamo supporters have the special right to be mad at me. I am mad at myself and I deeply regret what happened. My attitude has no excuse because I am a professional. Dinamo Zagreb has given me all the conditions to do my work correctly and so I have done. A few weeks ago we won the Cup of Croatia and beated the record of undefeated Champions of Croatia. But football is all about today, not yesterday or tomorrow.
I already see the headlines of some press, trying to brake Dinamo appart, inventing rumours about everything and everyone. Fortunately Dinamo Zagreb is bigger than that and will keep winning. If the press want to hit, then hit me. I will not hide.
UEFA will also punish me and I will accept everything. But I'm sure they will also see that in 12 years of professional football, I have never seen a red card. Never.
And if anyone ask any of my team mates in Dinamo Zagreb, Olympiakos, Toulouse, St.-Etienne, Leixoes, Estrela Amadora, Leiria, FC Porto and Portugal national teams, I'm sure my reputation as a dedicated footballer is there. My father tought me to leave a good image about our Machado family wherever I go.
At this moment I'm very sorry for my team mates in Dinamo Zagreb because I couldn't help us win the match. Nothing is lost but we could have won yesterday.
Then, I'm sorry for all Dinamo fans because I disappointed them. I was frustrated for not doing things as I wanted and I exploded badly. My reaction was unfair specially to those who support us every day and truly live the club.
I'm also sorry for my little sons because that's not how I want them to see their father. And at last I'm sorry for my own Father because I know I let him down more than anyone else. On his own anniversary...
If you are a true football fan who loves your Club make sure to take my example: if your players are not doing well, things will only get better if you cheer them up.
When you are well, everyone wants to be your friend, but when you are down only the true ones will give you a hand and help you stand up. Let that hand be yours.
My sincere and honest apologies to Dinamo Zagreb family. I'm sorry for not being a machine and I truly thank all of you who have the courage to support me in this difficult moment.