Cristiano Ronaldo has reignited his long-running rivalry with Lionel Messi after reportedly liking an Instagram video accusing FIFA of corruption and claiming the organization helped Argentina reach the 2026 World Cup final, Yahoo Sports reports.
The interaction immediately caught fans’ attention because Ronaldo did not publicly comment on the explosive allegations.
However, his apparent approval of the post was enough to thrust him into the controversy surrounding Argentina’s tournament run and FIFA’s handling of several disputed refereeing decisions.
The controversial video reportedly compiled accusations against FIFA and argued that Argentina benefited from favorable treatment throughout the World Cup.
Screenshots circulating online appeared to show that Ronaldo’s verified Instagram account liked the post. The interaction has since been interpreted by some fans as a subtle swipe at Messi and the organization governing international soccer.
Ronaldo has not explained why he liked the video or confirmed that he agrees with every allegation it contained. An Instagram like also does not prove any of the corruption or match-fixing claims raised in the clip.
Still, given Ronaldo and Messi’s decades-long battle for soccer supremacy, the interaction carried additional weight. Both men played their final World Cup tournaments in 2026, but only Messi and Argentina advanced to the championship match, where Spain defeated the reigning champions 1-0 in extra time.
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Accusations that officials favored Argentina intensified after the team’s dramatic 3-2 victory over Egypt in the round of 16.
Egypt had led 2-0 before Argentina completed a stunning late comeback. However, the match featured multiple disputed calls, including a goal by Mostafa Zico that was overturned following a Video Assistant Referee review and a late Egyptian penalty appeal that was rejected shortly before Argentina scored the winner.
The Egyptian Football Association subsequently submitted a formal complaint to FIFA challenging the officiating, HuffPost reported. “Defending the rights and interests of the Egyptian national team is not a matter that can be ignored, minimized, or treated as secondary,” the EFA said. “It is a responsibility that we carry with full conviction and determination.”
Several former players and commentators also questioned the consistency of the decisions, while critics began using the term “VARgentina” to allege that the review system was helping Messi’s team.
FIFA referees chief Pierluigi Collina rejected suggestions of bias, and Argentina defender Lisandro Martínez defended the tournament’s officials, calling their work “excellent.” No evidence has established that FIFA deliberately manipulated matches to advance Argentina.
4 Comments
5 penalties in 5 world cup 2022 games for Argentina began the scrutiny.
4 copa America tournaments in only 6 years amplified the scrutiny also
Infantino saying he was scared during the arg vs Cabo Verde game solidified the scrutiny.
Alas, Spain was an unyielding opponent and refused to …
**5 penalties in 5 2022 World Cup games………I guess it is no longer a penalty if you foul your opponent in your penalty box……LMAOooo. Conspiracy theorists till today still can’t tell the world which of the 5 penalties awarded to Argentina at the 2022 World Cup wasn’t a legitimate penalty.
**4 COPA America tournaments in 6 years…….One would think it is also FIFA who makes decisions for CONMEBOL and forces countries to bid for, and host COPA America tournaments, but according to records:
“……CONMEBOL and CONCACAF signed a collaborative partnership agreement in January 2023 that included the United States being selected as host for the 2024 Copa América, which would feature six CONCACAF teams….”
Someone should please help me cos it seems I now have a counting problem: 2016 (Centenario – Hosted by USA to celebrate 100yrs of COPA America, otherwise it was supposed to be held in 2017), 2019 (Hosted by Brazil), 2021 (Hosted by Brazil), 2024 (Hosted by USA, likely shifted due to the expansion agreement in 2023)……. that’s 4 COPAs in 8 years (and not 6yrs). In Africa, we have had the AFCON in 2022, 2024, 2025, and to be held in 2027 and 2028 (largely due to various reasons made public by CAF)……if the 2027 and 2028 arrangement succeeds, that would make it 5 in 6 years……I wonder what conspiracy theorists will make of that in the near future……..LMAOooo
**Infantino saying he was scared during the arg vs Cabo Verde game…….Never knew it has become a crime to express how intense and unpredictable a match was. But it was normal when an official admitted rooting for a certain team to lose the EURO 2016 Final.
Conspiracy theorists and propagandists making issues out of the most minute things in football, all because they want to downplay or outrightly ruin the legacy of their rival, is the worst thing to ever happen to football. At least learn to fact-check before swallowing every Jack and Harry’s unverifiable claims
In any case, believe whatever you wanna believe, just realize that turning off someone else’s candle will never make yours shine brighter.
No matter how hard you try, you can never cover the glory of the Sun.
Thumbs up Doctor Dare. You nailed it.
Most international goals – Ronaldo
Most international Appearances – Ronaldo
The only player in history to score in six separate FIFA World Cup tournaments – Ronaldo
most appearances in euro tournaments – Ronaldo
most goals scored in euro finals – Ronaldo
Champions league all time highest goal scorer – Ronaldo
All time assist provider in the champions league history – Ronaldo
Most goals in a single season of the champions League – Ronaldo
The only player to score in three separate champions league finals – Ronaldo
The only player to score in all six games of a champions league group stage in a single season-Ronaldo
European player with the highest ballon d’Or awards – Ronaldo
The first player to win league titles in England, Spain, Italy and the saudi pro league….
Guinness world record for the most followed athlete across all social media platforms globally – Ronaldo
World cup or no world cup…
Whether Fifa is backing messi or not…..
Ronaldo is the still the goat! Period!!
Messi can be barcelona grestest of all time…
Messi can be fifa’s greatest of all time(goat( for all we care….
Messi can be balon d’or organizers greatest of all time(goat)…
But true, honest and genuine football fans know that Ronaldo is the goat(football) cos football comprises of various competitions, tournaments, leagues etc…not just la liga….And dude has proven and is still proving himself across all….