Bolivian striker Marcelo Moreno Martins blamed head coach Óscar Villegas for the national team's failure to qualify for the World Cup following their recent playoff loss to Iraq.
The veteran forward, Bolivia's all-time leading goalscorer, used his post-match appearance on Sunday to air grievances regarding his exclusion from the squad during the decisive tournament phase.
Martins, who recently ended a one-year retirement specifically to compete for a spot in the national team, expressed significant resentment toward the coaching staff's decision-making.
Speaking after scoring two goals in Oriente Petrolero's 2-1 win over GV San José, the striker did not mince words regarding the coaching staff of the "Verde."
"As a football legend, the opportunity should have been given to me," Martins said. "He made a mistake; we did not go to the World Cup because of Villegas."
Claims of personal animosity
The striker highlighted the lack of offensive efficiency that plagued Bolivia during their elimination match against Iraq. He argued that his experience and scoring record could have provided the necessary margin of victory.
"Goals are what provide victory, and that was exactly what Bolivia needed in the playoff," he stated.
The veteran's criticism extended beyond tactical choices to include allegations of personal mistreatment by the head coach. Martins claimed the relationship between himself and Villegas had deteriorated due to off-field issues.
"He spoke ill of me, he despised me, and he always spoke without respect for my person," the striker concluded.
The striker's performance on Sunday, where he dominated the match against GV San José, served as the backdrop for his outburst. His two-goal effort demonstrated the clinical finishing he believes the national side lacked during the Iraq fixture.
Martins' 107 caps and 31 goals represent a significant era in the country's football history. His return to the pitch after a year away from the sport was intended to bolster the national squad for the most important fixture of the cycle.
Instead, the mismatch between the veteran's availability and his selection has led to a public fracture in the team's leadership structure. The loss to Iraq has left the Bolivian football federation facing a period of transition and internal instability.