Xabi Alonso knows what it’s like to be on the end of a reckless Nigel de Jong tackle.
The Spaniard got a boot full of studs from the Dutchman in a World Cup final in an area of his body where he could have reasonably expected to be safe from a kung-fu kick.
That blow to the chest in 2010 went unpunished and the L.A Galaxy midfielder claimed another victim last night as his side played out a 1-1 draw with MLS rivals Portland Timbers.
Somehow a disgusting tackle from the ex-Manchester City man was only punished with a yellow card, after he went flying into the ankle of Darlington Nagbe.
The Portland Timbers Twitter account was not happy with just a yellow card, and called out the Galaxy on the issue.
Hey @LAGalaxy, last year this acct justified a RC on Ridgewell w/a pic of a bruise. Any pithy commentary on De Jong? Are you even surprised?
— Portland Timbers (@TimbersFC) April 11, 2016
The response from the California-based side was perhaps ill-judged.
@LAGalaxy Sorry we don't find signing dirty players funny. But have at it.
— Portland Timbers (@TimbersFC) April 11, 2016
But in a surprising show of remorse after the game, the Dutchman spoke to the media, and admitted that he caught the player’s ankle rather than the ball.
Nigel de Jong immediately walked up to Nagbe after the match to apologize for the hard tackle. Says it was not his intention to foul
— Adam Serrano (@AdamSerrano) April 11, 2016
Nigel de Jong on foul on Darlington Nagbe. De Jong said he spoke to Nagbe after to say he didn't mean to hurt him. pic.twitter.com/ypDIAXdqIl
— Thuc Nhi Nguyen (@thucnhi21) April 11, 2016
An update on Nagbe’s condition is expected later today, but this does not sound good at all.
Sideline report: Nagbe couldn't stand up on his own. Needed the help of others. #RCTID pic.twitter.com/pwGTuXBw9g
— Ben Jata (@Ben_Jata) April 11, 2016
Darlington Nagbe cannot put weight on his left ankle. Needs wheelchair off the pitch. #MLS pic.twitter.com/yKLxun06VU
— Julie Stewart-Binks (@JSB_TV) April 11, 2016
And it seems the Portland man is well used to rough treatment.
Most fouls suffered in last 5 MLS seasons:
320 Nagbe
284 Morales
280 Nguyen https://t.co/Ipk7OxAaEu— Paul Carr (@PaulCarr) April 11, 2016
