Alejandro Garnacho responds after fan claims he ignored Lionel Messi in Copa America final due to idolising Cristiano Ronaldo
Alejandro Garnacho hit back at a fan who suggested he ignored Lionel Messi at Copa America to display his loyalty to Cristiano Ronaldo. The Argentina winger posted a telling picture in response to the fan.
A Manchester United fan uploaded a video of Garnacho seemingly snubbing Messi after La Abiceleste's Copa America final triumph. He captioned it:
"Alejandro Garnacho ignoring Messi all game game. Proper Ronaldo fan boy (claps hands)."
Garnacho wasn't impressed by the suggestion and replied with a photo of himself embracing Lionel Messi at the tournament in the United States. He added two emoticons displaying his dismay:
Garnacho's admiration of Cristiano Ronaldo is well-documented, and he idolized the Red Devils icon while growing up. The 19-year-old wonderkid celebrated his first senior goal in November 2022 by emulating the five-time Ballon d'Or winner. He thanked the 39-year-old for allowing him to use one of his celebrations.
However, Garnacho is now learning from Lionel Messi at international level and has made it clear the pair are on good terms. He's earned six caps for Argentina and appeared once at Copa America this summer.
Messi and Ronaldo have a long-running rivalry that has dominated world football since their days clashing in La Liga. They are two of the most successful and adored footballers in history.
"They're both amazing" - Garnacho refused to choose between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo
Garnacho may have idolized Cristiano Ronaldo growing up, but he's unwilling to decide who is superior in the GOAT debate. He said when asked earlier this year:
"Messi or Ronaldo? They’re both amazing and great for me, I’m admiring them both same.”
The Messi-Ronaldo debate is one that will likely never end even when the iconic duo retire. They both left European football last year meaning they rarely, if ever, will face one another again.
Lionel Messi, 37, won the FIFA World Cup in 2022, and many insisted that he had won the debate because of that feat. He's the Ballon d'Or record holder with eight awards to his name, three more than Ronaldo.
Barcelona's all-time top scorer has posted 735 goals and 355 assists in 904 club games. He's also Argentina's all-time top scorer with 109 goals and 58 assists in 187 caps.
However, Cristiano Ronaldo is club and international football's all-time top scorer. The Real Madrid great sits on 759 goals and 238 assists in 1013 club games, 130 goals, and 45 assists in 212 caps for Portugal.
Garnacho has had the pleasure of playing with both of the longtime rivals. He's learning from arguably the two greatest players in history.