The ‘greatest of all time’ debate seems to have ended with Lionel Messi’s World Cup victory. And what is Cristiano Ronaldo doing? He dives.
Then it seems to smile, the goat. Calmly, almost satisfied, he looks into the camera. Caption: “I told you so” – in German: “I told you so”. And again: “Debate closed”. The Instagram post of the sporting goods manufacturer Adidas the day after Argentina’s World Cup victory was another insult to Lionel Messi’s biggest rival, whom he sponsored and with the “Albiceleste” is now finally famous at the World Cup.
Because the goat – in English “Goat” – is also a symbol for the sportsman “GOAT”, the “Greatest of All Time”. And that never-ending debate seems sort of resolved with this memorable Lusail finale.
The result: Lionel Messi is the “GOAT” – and not his eternal (and equipped by Adidas competitor Nike) Cristiano Ronaldo. After all, ‘CR7’ and his Portuguese failed miserably in the quarterfinals against surprise side Morocco, and were only allowed to watch as ‘La Pulga’ finally took the crown round after round. Soccer World Champion – widely regarded as the ultimate accolade, a title that separates the greats from the less greats. It doesn’t take much imagination to imagine that Ronaldo these days is, well, not exactly thrilled with what is probably the final evolution of this 15-year rivalry. While nothing is known of a deep mutual dislike for the two grownups, they are not supposed to be best friends, to put it mildly.
Silence on Ronaldo’s social channels
However, in his current silence, Ronaldo is now louder than any statement could have been: no magnanimous congratulations to Messi, no congratulations, nothing. The question could almost arise: where is it?
The 37-year-old’s last Instagram post was dated 11 December, the day after Portugal’s defeat to Morocco. And Ronaldo’s silence becomes even clearer if you look at all the comrades and personalities who have already congratulated Messi: from Argentine sports greats such as former tennis star Juan Martin Del Potro and basketball icon Manu Ginobili to tennis “GOAT” Roger Federer and the great footballer Pele.
From Ronaldo, on the other hand, only the message came that he is currently keeping fit at the Real Madrid training ground. Meanwhile he can keep smiling, best goat ever.
