Why Cristiano Ronaldo posted laughing emojis in social media 'dig' at Lionel Messi

Cristiano Ronaldo commented laughing emojis on a social media post criticising Lionel Messi’s Ballon d’Or victory. Here’s why.

Ronaldo liked and commented on an Instagram post by Spanish publication AS, that was carrying quotes from journalist Tomas Roncero.

Roncero was deeply critical of Messi's eighth Ballon d'Or win, awarded to the Argentina star on Monday evening in Paris in the wake of his World Cup victory last December.

Roncero said: “Hello friends what we already knew has happened. They were going to give another Ballon d’Or to Messi. He went to retire in Miami, but he was already looking like retired at PSG to prepare for the World Cup, he won the World Cup, yes, well, but with six penalties.

"The World Cup was 10 months ago, we’re in November. Messi has eight Ballon d’Ors well, he should have five. He has the Ballon d’Ors of [Andres] Iniesta and Xavi, [Robert] Lewandowski who won 6 trophies in one season and [Erling] Haaland who was the top scorer of everything.”

Ronaldo has received criticism for liking and posting four laughing emojis in the Instagram comments. Indeed, his response appears to be an endorsement of Roncero's opinion.

However it is also possible that Ronaldo has reserved his laughter for Roncero's final quip.

The broadcaster said eight was a number he liked, given it was the number of goals Bayern Munich scored against Messi's Barcelona in the Champions League quarter final in 2020.

Roncero added with a smirk: “Not every day has been a good day, right Leo? Congratulations.”

Indeed, it is possible Ronaldo was merely laughing at the journalist's rather clunky joke.

Roncero is a Spanish sports journalist and well-known Real Madrid and Ronaldo supporter. He is part of “El Chiringuito de Jugones”, the biggest sports talkshow in Spanish television.

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Topics: Football, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Ballon d'Or

Chris Byfield

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.