E-Paper
FIFA World Cup 2018: Cristiano Ronaldo takes dig at Lionel Messi after hat-trick against Spain
Cristiano Ronaldo chin-stroke celebrated during the FIFA World Cup 2018 match against Spain was an apparent dig at Lionel Messi’s recent advertisement.
Cristiano Ronaldo became the fourth player to score in four World Cups and stroked his chin as he ran in celebration. The apparent message? I’m the GOAT, not Lionel Messi.
GOAT is the acronym for “greatest of all time,” and Adidas is running an advertisement featuring Messi with a real goat. Ronaldo and Messi have been football’s top players for the past decade and rivals in the Spanish La Liga.
READ | FIFA World Cup 2018: Iran beat Morocco with 95th-minute own goal
Ronaldo drew a penalty kick from Nacho Fernandez and converted in the fourth minute to put Portugal ahead of Spain in the World Cup Friday night. He ran to a corner flag, leaped and broke into the chin-stroke.
The Twitter users were quick to guess the reason behind the celebration and here are some of the tweets:
Ronaldo went on to score twice more in the match to register his first FIFA World Cup hat-trick and took his goal tally in the competition to six. He scored just before the half time and with his side trailing 2-3, he converted a brilliant free-kick in the 88th minute to ensure the spoils were shared in this blockbuster clash in Sochi.
(with AP inputs)
