Cristiano Ronaldo’s verified Instagram account has sparked controversy after appearing to like a post accusing FIFA of helping Lionel Messi and Argentina reach the 2026 World Cup final.
Screenshots circulating online showed Ronaldo’s account among those that liked a video published by Spanish television programme Espejo Público.
In the video, Spanish journalist Pilar Rodríguez Losantos criticised FIFA and accused the organisation of favouring Argentina during the tournament.
Losantos described FIFA as “one of the most corrupt institutions on planet Earth” and questioned several refereeing decisions involving the defending champions.
The video cited Messi’s escape from a red card during Argentina’s opening match against Algeria and a disallowed goal in their 3-2 victory over Egypt among the decisions it considered favourable.
Antena 3, which broadcasts Espejo Público, reported that Ronaldo had left a like on the video. The interaction is no longer visible on Instagram. Antena 3
Ronaldo has not publicly commented on the video or directly accused FIFA of manipulating the World Cup in Argentina’s favour.
The apparent interaction nevertheless reignited the long-running rivalry between supporters of Ronaldo and Messi, with fans offering conflicting interpretations of the like.
What Ronaldo’s Instagram ‘like’ actually proves
The screenshots indicate that Ronaldo’s verified account interacted with the post, but an Instagram like is not the same as a formal statement.
It may suggest agreement, interest or approval, but it could also result from an accidental interaction. Without a direct comment from Ronaldo, it would be inaccurate to report that he personally accused FIFA of corruption.
The disappearance of the like also provides no definite explanation. Ronaldo may have removed it, or the interaction may have disappeared for another reason.
Similarly, controversial refereeing decisions do not, by themselves, establish that a competition was manipulated. The video expressed an opinion about Argentina’s progress but did not present evidence proving that FIFA fixed matches or ordered officials to favour Messi’s team.
Argentina ultimately reached the final before losing 1-0 to Spain, who also ended Ronaldo’s tournament earlier in the knockout stage.
Portugal were eliminated in the round of 16 after Mikel Merino scored a late winner to hand Spain a 1-0 victory.
The defeat ended Ronaldo’s World Cup career, 20 years after he made his tournament debut.
The 41-year-old confirmed afterwards that the 2026 competition would be his final World Cup, although he stopped short of announcing his retirement from international football.
“I gave it my all. I did my best, and I’m leaving with a clear conscience,” Ronaldo said.
He added that he would take time to reflect and spend time with his family before deciding whether to continue playing for Portugal.
Ronaldo also expressed pride in helping Portugal win the 2016 European Championship and the UEFA Nations League in 2019 and 2025.
He described the Euro 2016 triumph as having the same personal value as winning the World Cup. Reuters
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has not ruled out representing Portugal at Euro 2028, which will be staged in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
