Marcos Llorente has strongly criticized the Spanish Minister of Transport, Óscar Puente, in the hours following the collision that occurred on Wednesday, October 28, between a Renfe train and an Iryo train in Urda, in the province of Toledo, where 39 victims have been recorded so far. The Spanish midfielder of Atlético Madrid, known more for his extreme positions on health and lifestyle than for his political interventions, has used his followers on social networks to demand responsibility from those who manage transport.
The train accident and Llorente's strong message
The collision occurred at 8:54 a.m. on the Madrid-Seville line, with a preliminary toll of 39 dead and 179 injured, according to the Castilla-La Mancha emergency services. Firefighters from Alcázar de San Juan and Orgaz, the Civil Protection, as well as medical helicopters and intensive care units, continue to work at the scene. The causes have not yet been determined. The current hypothesis, which is far from being a definitive conclusion, according to Ministry sources, is related to a possible human error, which may have resulted from the intervention of an employee to repair a defect in the main signaling system.
“Dear Óscar Puente, isn't it time you put Twitter aside and focus on the job we pay you to do? When lives are at stake, the minimum that can be asked of a Transport Ministry is responsibility, seriousness, safety and respect. We are tired of politicians who seem more interested in winning debates on social media, like 13-year-olds, than fulfilling their responsibilities. Twitter is not your job. Your job is public transport, safety and taking responsibility when things go wrong. So far, in this regard, you have been a complete disaster, but, as always, you will blame someone else. Let the circus continue.”
Llorente immediately expressed his anger, while the message was later shared by other famous international footballers, including Courtois and Carvajal. He addressed the minister, asking him to leave social networks aside and dedicate himself to the work for which, as he sternly reminded him, he is paid by the citizens. Llorente emphasizes that, when people's lives are at stake, responsibility, seriousness and security are required from a Minister of Transport, while accusing politicians of following debates on the Internet. His target is not the technical defect, but the communication style of a minister who is very active on social networks. For this reason, the message constitutes a political criticism, summarized in a sharp and negative judgment of Puente's work.
The attitudes that have made Llorente a "divisive" character
Llorente has always been a standout in Spanish football, and not just for his results. He has expressed his beliefs about biohacking and lifestyle, including his rejection of ultraviolet rays and artificial light, both on television and on his social media profiles. From photos without sunscreen in the summer of 2024, to the irony of the furor caused by the eclipse, to the theory of glasses with yellow and red lenses, considered unfounded by some experts. As a result, as The Telegraph newspaper wrote, he ended up being considered a “threat to public health”, because, with around three million followers on social media, he has an extraordinary audience and risks influencing people's beliefs. But this time he has used his influence on an issue that does not concern him personally.
The novelty of this message from Llorentes lies in the subject, not in the way he expressed it. However, the importance of this public stance of his will also be measured by what may happen next: whether it will open a debate on railway safety or will remain simply a clash between a public figure and a politician. What is certain is that the message comes only a few hours after the accident, while the causes have not yet been clarified and the criticism focuses mainly on the public behavior of the minister. The latter has not yet given any response.
