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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.
