Lionel Messi allegedly unfollowed Alejandro Garnacho on Instagram because the Manchester United striker publicly declares his preference for Cristiano Ronaldo, according to Rio Ferdinand.

During Manchester United’s 3-0 victory over Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday, Garnacho scored the first goal with one of the greatest overhead kicks in Premier League history.

The 19-year-old sensation scored a goal past Jordan Pickford with acrobatic effort, then turned away towards the corner flag, executing Cristiano Ronaldo’s signature celebration.

Longtime fan of the Portuguese and former Red Devils star, Garnacho has acknowledged in public that Ronaldo is his hero.

Even the boots Garnacho wore—which he gave away to a fan on Monday—were Nike’s Vapor 15 Mercurial Dream Speed cleats, which were inspired by Ronaldo.

Rio Ferdinand commented on his podcast Vibe with Five in response to Garnacho’s choice to mimic Ronaldo’s celebration at Goodison Park: “You know what I admire about him? It doesn’t concern him. 

Garnacho informed me that Messi unfollowed him solely due to his open declaration of his affection for Ronaldo.

He declares, “I’m a Ronaldo man,” without hesitation. Who is the greatest of all time? Ronaldo. (Even) while he is playing for Argentina.

Back in April 2022, supporters claimed on social media that Messi had unfollowed Garnacho on Instagram after the Portuguese player uploaded a photo of Ronaldo declaring the player to be the best of all time. 

It happened just three weeks after Garnacho called the Argentina captain a “idol” in a post featuring the two of them. 

Even though Garnacho is now following Messi on Instagram, the Manchester United player does not follow Messi back.

The consensus is that Messi and Ronaldo are among the greatest football players of all time, ranking alongside former Argentina great Diego Maradona and Brazilian icon Pele.