Cristiano Ronaldo has stirred a fresh storm over alleged FIFA corruption after his verified Instagram account appeared to like a viral video accusing the governing body of 'cheating for Messi' to help Argentina reach the 2026 World Cup final in North America.
The two global icons played their last World Cup at the 2026 tournament, co-hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Ronaldo and Portugal went home early, while Lionel Messi captained Argentina all the way to the final, where the reigning champions were beaten 1–0 by Spain in extra time. That contrast has hung over their rivalry ever since, and Ronaldo's quiet tap of a like button has now been treated as something of a public verdict.
