Rio Ferdinand’s claim that Lionel Messi unfollowed Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho after his impressive goal against Everton was met with a strong response from Garnacho’s brother, Roberto.
Following Garnacho’s standout performance, Ferdinand suggested that Messi unfollowed the winger on Instagram due to his admiration for Cristiano Ronaldo.
However, Roberto Garnacho firmly countered this assertion, stating that Messi was never a follower of his brother on Instagram in the first place.
“Fake, Messi never followed him,” posted Roberto Garnacho on X (formerly Twitter), quoting a video of Ferdinand. “Stop making stuff up just to create hate; Garna [Alejandro Garnacho] loves and admires both of them and you all are trying (sic) to create a rivalry.”
Ferdinand replied to the post a few hours later, claiming, “Was sarcasm, bro?”
Argentinian players typically express clear preferences in the ongoing Messi vs. Ronaldo debate. However, Alejandro Garnacho presents a unique case.
Recently breaking into the Argentina squad and having only shared the field with Messi for a brief 16 minutes, Garnacho’s perspective is distinct.
As a former teammate of Ronaldo during the Portuguese star’s return to Old Trafford, training daily and playing alongside him on several occasions, the 19-year-old holds a profound respect for both of these modern football greats.
As Manchester United faces Galatasaray in Istanbul on Wednesday night, the GOAT debate is likely to be the least of concerns for the talented young winger.
Erik ten Hag’s team is in desperate need of a positive result to salvage their struggling Champions League campaign.