Cristiano Ronaldo came on as a substitute as Portugal was chasing a 1-0 deficit against Morocco in the quarterfinal of the World Cup 2022.
Ronaldo’s team was unable to equalize before the referee blew the whistle for full-time. The loss left the ex-Manchester United player in tears. The 37-year-old could be seen walking off the pitch and into the tunnel, crying inconsolably as he grieved his nation’s exit from the World Cup.
Morocco does it again!
By knocking out #Portugal, they are the first African and Arab team to make it to the semi-finals of the World Cup. #maroc #worldcup2022 #morocco #portugal #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/lwKmWdQBqC
— Mohamed A. El-Erian (@elerianm) December 10, 2022
Portugal was the favorite going into the game, however, Morocco prevailed to become the first African nation to reach the semifinal of the FIFA World Cup. Moroccan fans were high on euphoria after their country’s win.
The fans donning the red and green showed no mercy in their post-match celebrations and video clippings of the banter inflicted by the Moroccan fans went viral.
While most of the fans were pointing toward the airport, gesturing for the Portuguese squad to be on their way, the comments of a little girl wearing the Moroccan jersey started a trend on the internet, offending many in the process.
“Portugal airport is that way. And where is Ronaldo? He’s crying in his car. Poor Ronaldo.” This is what the little girl had to say on the subject of the soccer legend.
Poor Ronaldo 🥺💔pic.twitter.com/oFcJpqZF7k
— فـهـد (@iOnlyFahd) December 12, 2022
Even though the soccer legend was understandably hurt by the result of the game and was pictured shedding tears, there have been no reports which can authenticate the claims of the Moroccan girl. No images of Ronaldo crying in his car have surfaced since the incident. It seems as though the claim has been made up in a work of fiction by the young Moroccan.
Her comments although, have started a new trend on social media.
Moroccan Girl gives birth to new Cristiano Ronaldo trend
The comments of the young girl, which were a product of banter, were taken to mean otherwise by fans online.
There were some sections of soccer fans who made a meme out of the comments, thereby starting a trend of memes focused around the same.
Other fans took the banter to mean offense and retaliated using social media platforms. The comments of the young fan acted as salt to the wounds of Portugal and Ronaldo supporters. Soon, the banter turned into an online battle against those in support of the banter and those against it, putting the ugly side of online banter on display.
portugal airport is that way
where’s ronaldo
he’s crying in his car
poor Ronaldo pic.twitter.com/SDlsAwtqUR— teddy 🇦🇷🇫🇷 (@themilkywae) December 13, 2022
Football fans turned on a little girl because she said “Ronaldo was crying in his car” after the Morocco win..sending the girl and her family racist vitriol. But when grown men do it, it’s just smack talk. pic.twitter.com/efV2Wfmov6
— Luul🇲🇦 (@RealZamzampappi) December 13, 2022
“the portugal airport is that way” “cristiano ronaldo is crying in his car” men in the comments pic.twitter.com/yofPPTdYDD
— 🤞🏻 (@HOBlBO) December 14, 2022
Grown men were soon at each other’s throats with the Moroccan fans teasing the opposition with the final score. On the other hand, Ronaldo loyalists came to his defense swiftly and prophecies of Kylian Mbappe taking revenge for Cristiano Ronaldo were soon floated.
Mbappe will avenge Ronaldo then we’ll see who’ll go to the airport crying in his car 🛣️ pic.twitter.com/Hq903KDPhN
— Arthik🖤 (@arthik_kumar) December 13, 2022
Mbappe is coming to avenge Ronaldo’s tears. Morocco should find a shelter for themselves or they should withdraw themselves before semifinal because they will be banged by Mbappe in every possible position. pic.twitter.com/TBFD4DY4iT
— ds (@WoKyaHotaHai) December 10, 2022
The context here is that French soccer star Mbappe idolized Ronaldo while growing up. It was, therefore, deemed reasonable by Ronaldo supporters to assume that the Frenchman would silence the Moroccans in the semifinal fixture between France and Morocco.
The winner of the game would go on to face Argentina in the Final of the World Cup of 2022 on Sunday.