Cristiano Ronaldo appears to back corruption claims against Lionel Messi and Argentina

Cristiano Ronaldo has appeared to endorse allegations of corruption involving Lionel Messi, Argentina and world governing body Fifa, after liking a social media video accusing them of benefitting from improper refereeing decisions.

The Portuguese star, who plays for Saudi side Al Nassr, used his official Instagram account to like a video posted by Spanish journalist Pilar Losa Santos.

In the clip, the journalist claims that Argentina, Messi and Fifa were involved in corrupt practices, alleging that the world champions were favoured by match officials.

The interaction has been seized upon by fans and media as a rare public signal from Ronaldo in a long-running debate over Messi, his great rival for more than 15 years.

Allegations of referee favouritism

The video at the centre of the row focuses on Argentina’s campaign at the 2026 World Cup, a tournament in which the team faced repeated accusations from some opponents’ supporters and pundits of receiving preferential treatment from referees.

Throughout that World Cup, critics argued that several key decisions went Argentina’s way at crucial moments. Those claims intensified after the final, in which Argentina were beaten by Spain, losing their grip on the title they had won in 2022.

Although no formal evidence of corruption has been presented by the journalist in the video, her comments directly accuse Argentina, Messi and Fifa of wrongdoing. Ronaldo’s decision to engage with the post has added considerable weight and visibility to those claims, given his global stature and enormous online following.

Contrasting fortunes for Argentina and Portugal

At the 2026 tournament, Argentina progressed all the way to the final before being defeated by Spain. That loss denied Messi and his team a second consecutive World Cup crown.

Portugal, by contrast, exited the competition much earlier. Ronaldo’s side were eliminated in the last 16, also at the hands of Spain, who won 1-0 to progress to the quarter-finals and ultimately go on to lift the trophy.

The differing fortunes of the two nations have fuelled online debate, with some Portugal supporters alleging that refereeing standards and key calls worked against their team, while appearing to benefit other sides.

Rivalry and reaction

Ronaldo and Messi have dominated men’s football for a generation, amassing multiple Ballon d’Or awards, Champions League titles and domestic honours between them.

Their rivalry, once played out primarily on the pitch in La Liga with Real Madrid and Barcelona, has increasingly shifted to the global stage and the online arena, where every action by either player is closely scrutinised.

Ronaldo’s apparent support for a video accusing Messi and Argentina of corruption has divided opinion among fans. Some see it as a pointed response to what they perceive as unfair advantages given to Argentina, while others argue it risks inflaming tensions and spreading unproven allegations.

Fifa, Argentina’s football authorities and Messi himself have not commented publicly on the specific video liked by Ronaldo. No formal complaints have been lodged regarding corruption in relation to Argentina’s 2026 World Cup campaign, beyond general criticism of refereeing decisions that often follows major tournaments.

Social media spotlight

With more than half a billion followers across his platforms, Ronaldo’s online activity routinely shapes football discourse. A single “like” from the Portugal captain can propel a previously niche opinion into the mainstream.

In this case, his engagement with a post accusing a current world champion and the sport’s ruling body of corruption has reignited controversy over refereeing, fairness and perceived bias at the highest level of international football – and ensured that the debate surrounding Messi and Argentina’s recent World Cup run is unlikely to fade any time soon.