Joel Campbell confronts media critic on El Mundialito, decries Saprissa bias

Costa Rican forward Joel Campbell, after ending his stint with Liga Deportiva Alajuelense, appeared on the television program El Mundialito to address what he called persistent media bias. He asserted that most journalists support rival club Saprissa, saying “around me there has always been that controversy of the league and Saprissa, so it’s no secret that 90% of the journalists are Saprissistas,” and claimed they often crossed the line of respect.

During the show Campbell sat opposite Esteban Amador, known as “Piolo,” who had repeatedly criticized Campbell’s club moves. Campbell rebuffed the accusations, detailing his loan spells from Arsenal at Lorient, Betis, Olympiacos, Villarreal, León, and Monterrey, and emphasizing that his transfers were dictated by contract terms, not poor performance. He concluded that he felt disrespected and that the media coverage had become personal rather than analytical.