Celebrity Responds to Media Criticism: 'Attacked on TV, Requested Photo Opportunity'

UAE football is buzzing after Al Wahda striker Caio Canedo fired back at sports analyst Salem Johar, who questioned why the Brazilian-born player ever made it to the national team. The heated exchange shows the ongoing tensions around naturalized players in Emirati football.

The drama started when Johar appeared on Ajman TV's sports show and made some harsh comments about Canedo. "I don't know why Caio Canedo plays for the UAE's top clubs or gets called up to the national team," Johar said. Then he really went for it: "I'm 54 years old, and if I trained for a month, I'd be better than Caio."

Canedo wasn't having any of it. He hit back on Instagram with a detailed response that laid out his football credentials. "I respect all former players and legends, but throughout my career in Brazil, I only played for first-division clubs, scoring goals and winning titles," he wrote.

The numbers back him up. Canedo has been one of the UAE Pro League's most consistent scorers. He netted over 100 goals during his time with Al Wasl, more than 50 with Al Ain, and ranks among the top six all-time scorers in the league's history. Those aren't the stats of someone who doesn't belong at the top level.

But Canedo's response got personal too. He called out what he sees as Johar's two-faced behavior: "You attack me on TV for no reason even though I never did anything to you, but when you meet me in person, you ask for a photo with me."

The striker ended his message on a surprisingly gracious note, saying he'd pray for Johar and hoped God would "remove the hatred from your heart." He also admitted he didn't even know Johar's name, which had to sting.

This whole situation highlights a bigger issue in UAE football. Naturalized players like Canedo often face extra scrutiny about whether they truly deserve their place in the system. Canedo recently missed out on the Arab Cup squad, which clearly disappointed him. He told local media he respected coach Olariu Cosmin's decision but had hoped to make the trip to Qatar.

The timing of Johar's comments seems particularly harsh given that Canedo is currently having a strong season with Al Wahda and isn't even in the national team setup right now. It raises questions about why former players sometimes target naturalized stars who are just trying to do their job on the pitch.

For UAE football, these kinds of public spats don't help anyone. The league has worked hard to build its reputation and attract quality players from around the world. When respected voices in the media make comments like Johar's, it can damage that progress and discourage other players from committing to Emirati football.

Canedo's track record speaks for itself. Over several seasons in the UAE, he's consistently found the net and helped his teams compete at the highest level. Whether fans agree with naturalization policies or not, questioning a player's basic ability when the stats say otherwise just looks petty.