Lionel Messi has been the talk of the town ever since he led Argentina to the World Cup in Qatar. It has been a trophy that Messi waited for. He came close to it in 2014, but Mario Götze and Germany were sure to stand in the way. This time around, it was a huge European powerhouse in Kylian Mbappe and France.
The game between Argentina and France was one for the ages as it went down to a penalty shootout after the game ended 3-3 after extra time. Messi and Argentina continued their shootout winning streak after France’s Randal Kolo Muani and Aurelian Tchouameni missed their penalties. That was when Messi made history with Argentina.
Messi’s World Cup tournament with his country was what Cristiano Ronaldo was aiming for. He dreamt of winning the World Cup with Portugal and bringing home the honor. However, Morocco managed to topple the 2016 Euro winners after winning 1-0 against them. But it seems like Ronaldo might have taken a dig at the Argentine way before he won the World Cup as well.
At the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Portugal’s opening game was against Spain. In the 4th minute, Ronaldo earned a penalty for his country after his then-Real Madrid teammate Nacho Fernandez fouled him in the box. After converting it, Ronaldo went to the corner flag and did a celebration that caught the attention of the fans.
Did Cristiano Ronaldo take a shot at Lionel Messi at the 2018 FIFA World Cup?
After doing his usual “Siuu” celebration, Ronaldo rubbed his chin, where he had a goatee. This was the first time Ronaldo didn’t mind having a bit of facial hair. Throughout his entire career, Ronaldo has always been clean-shaven. When he did this celebration, soccer fans believed that he was taking a jibe at Lionel Messi. The main reason for that would be a photoshoot Messi did.
G.O.A.T. 🐐#HereToCreate pic.twitter.com/JNTZ6BD7eo
— adidas Football (@adidasfootball) June 4, 2018
Messi was pictured with a goat on the PAPER magazine before the start of the 2018 World Cup. The idea behind the campaign was to imply that he was a “GOAT” (Greatest Of All-Time) as well. Many started to believe that Ronaldo didn’t agree with this and had to respond to the rumors.
ofcourse after seeing that adidas ad. they made a mistake sha because man is on a mission.
— Albashir A. GULAK.. (@aagulak7) June 16, 2018
Bc now got to know why Ronaldo celebrated that first goal against Spain the goatee celebration, because of this magazine which was shoot with Messi being GOAT.. also now he started growing beard in that part..
Kitna obsession hai bande ko Messi se.. pic.twitter.com/I6sxxSll8a— Tiger 3 (@KattarBhaiFan1) June 20, 2018
World Cup 2018: Twitter convinced Cristiano Ronaldo was sending Lionel Messi a GOAT message during celebration against Spain
Was Portugal superstar’s chin-stroking gesture a dig at the Argentine over a recent commercial suggesting Barca ace is the greatest of all-time? pic.twitter.com/A6QRAPVoSq— Messir Hamid (@MessirHamid) June 16, 2018
So Ronaldo’s goal celebration against Spain was actually calling himself as GOAT by rubbing his chin?🙄
— C J L (@_iamcjl) June 20, 2018
However, the 5x Ballon d’Or winner responded to the questions as well. In an interview, Ronaldo explained that it was because of his Portugal teammate that he did the celebration. He said, “We were in the sauna, and I started to shave. I left my beard and said if I score tomorrow, which was against Spain, I’d leave it for the rest of the tournament. And it gave me luck, I scored in that game, I scored today and I’m going to keep it.”
It looks like the claims may be false after all. Ronaldo’s celebration wasn’t aimed at the 2022 World Cup winner. However, if it was, it would have been that wouldn’t have aged well. Messi has now won everything there is to win in both club and international soccer. With that said, let’s not forget that Ronaldo has done everything to give his all for the sport like Messi as well.