Argentine footballer Yamila Rodriguez has caused a sensation in Australia, where the 2023 Women’s World Cup is taking place, with a tattoo in honor of Cristiano Ronaldo, the arch-rival of her country’s superstar, Lionel Messi.
The 25-year-old Argentine forward, who plays for the Brazilian club SE Palmeira, shocked football fans worldwide, especially in her home country, when she clearly indicated her preference in the never-ending debate between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
During the opening match of the Women’s World Cup, where Argentina faced Italy at Eden Park, Yamila Rodriguez was photographed on the substitutes’ bench with tattoos of two football legends on her left thigh.
One might expect a glorious tattoo of the legendary Diego Maradona, who won the World Cup with Argentina in 1986 and remains a mythical figure in the country even after his passing. However, the second tattoo of Al Nassr star Cristiano Ronaldo raised eyebrows. It is very rare to see an Argentine choose Ronaldo over Messi, but Yamila’s decision to tattoo a picture of the Portuguese player on her thigh has caused a storm on social media.
Last year, in an interview on ESPN Vivo, the former Boca Juniors striker Rodriguez emphasized that she would always prefer former Manchester United and Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo over Messi. “My idol is Cristiano Ronaldo,” she declared.
Argentina lost 1-0 to Italy in their opening match of the ongoing Women’s World Cup but hopes to bounce back against South Africa on Friday.
