Fans shouting your rival’s name is nothing new for Cristiano Ronaldo. For months, fans across the Middle East have tried to get a rise out of the player by chanting Lionel Messi‘s name at the top of their lungs. Most of their attempts have been successful, with the player losing his calm on multiple occasions. Well, it seems like the fans in the United States have started learning from their counterparts as Nashville supporters were seen chanting Cristiano Ronaldo’s name during their team’s encounter against Lionel Messi-led Inter Miami.
Now, while things usually hit the fan when it’s Cristiano, it seems Nashville’s efforts to throw Messi off his game did not work at all. Well, surely not in the way they were expecting it to! While the away fans tried their best to get under the Argentine’s skin, the player just turned things around and gave them a taste of their own medicine.
Lionel Messi, in return to Nashville’s hooting, let the ball do the talking. With fans screaming Cristiano Ronaldo’s name at the top of their lungs, Messi did what he does best as he dribbled through Nashville’s defense before slotting the ball in the back of the net to consolidate his team’s lead. The Argentine had a notable outing on the field as his side bagged a 3-1 win, punching their ticket to the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
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IMPERDIBLE SECUENCIA: los hinchas de Nashville empezaron a corear "RONALDO, RONALDO" y, a los pocos segundos, Messi marcó para Inter Miami. 🐐 pic.twitter.com/S2pjVQ4aj9
— SportsCenter (@SC_ESPN) March 14, 2024
Messi’s action was a fresh breath of air for many, considering what transpired with Cristiano Ronaldo earlier last month. The Al Nassr skipper lost his calm during his team’s clash against Al Shadab as he was sent making inappropriate actions towards fans after they got under his skin by chanting Lionel Messi’s name.
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Cristiano Ronaldo having it rough with rival fans chanting Lionel Messi’s name
While CR7 may have impressed everyone with his performance on the field, his recent attitude towards fans has not gone well in Saudi Arabia. The player has clapped back against fans on multiple occasions this season, with his tantrum against Al Hilal and Al Shadab igniting a massive debate. His actions haven’t gone unpunished either, with the Saudi Arabian authorities imposing a one-game ban on the player following his actions against Al Shadab.
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The ban had a massive effect on the team’s morale as Al Nassr has failed to get a single win in their last four games. The team was also handed a colossal blow earlier his week as they were knocked out of the AFC Champions League in the quarterfinals after suffering a defeat during the penalties at the hands of Al Ain. What are your thoughts on Cristiano Ronaldo’s attitude towards the rival fans? Let us know in the comments below.