Over the past two decades, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have maintained a constant rivalry, standing out for their goals, team and individual titles, and on-field achievements.
English legend Gary Lineker has sided with the Argentine, reigniting the debate, but this apparently didn’t sit well with the Portuguese star, leaving Lineker off a select list: being one of CR7’s 630 followers on Instagram.
Lineker reveals how CR7 unfollowed him on Instagram
Millions of fans have defended Cristiano as the undisputed GOAT for his 968 goals and his proximity to 1,000. Others believe Messi is the best player, highlighting the World Cup as one of his greatest achievements. Undoubtedly, both players have put on true spectacles every time they’ve stepped onto the field, and they continue to do so. But also off the field.
With 4,040 posts on Instagram, 673 million followers, and only 630 accounts he follows, Cristiano remains active on this social media platform. So much so that he has decided to unfollow anyone who “doesn’t follow him” in soccer terms.
The top scorer of the 1986 World Cup in Mexico has stated that the Al Nassr captain has unfollowed him, and the reason is quite clear: his stance in favor of Lionel Messi in the debate over who is the greatest player in history.
Speaking with The Rest Is Football (via The Sun), Lineker recounted the situation:
He doesn’t like me very much, Cristiano Ronaldo. I didn’t upset him by anything I said about him… other than the fact I’m honest and think overall Messi’s a better footballer. He unfollowed me on Instagram. I’ll get over it.
This drew laughter from his colleagues Alan Shearer and Micah Richards, but then Gary revealed that his affinity for the Argentine doesn’t mean he has personal issues with Ronaldo, and he even joked about the situation:
I will always like him. I’ve met him a lot of times. I know he’s got the hump with me. But that’s okay. And on that note, please Cristiano, give me a call. Let’s be friends again.
Although the debate had calmed down recently, the race for 1,000 goals (968 vs. 903) and the upcoming FIFA World Cup have reignited the discussion over the GOAT title.
With the Portuguese star determined to play in his final World Cup and bring the trophy home for the first time in history, and with uncertainty surrounding the presence of Argentina’s captain, the duo is poised to go down in history as the only two players to have played in six tournaments.
The World Cup will take place in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, kicking off on June 11, 2026, and concluding on July 19, 2026.
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