Cristiano Ronaldo’s verified Instagram account recently liked a social media post that accused FIFA of corruption and alleged that officials attempted to favor Lionel Messi and Argentina in the 2026 World Cup. This interaction emerged shortly after Argentina’s 1-0 extra-time loss to Spain in the tournament final held in North America.
The post featured a video clip of Spanish journalist Pilar Rodriguez Losantos speaking on the television program Espejo Publico. In the segment, Losantos criticized refereeing decisions, claiming they disproportionately benefited the South American team throughout the competition.
Losantos asserted that Argentina should have been eliminated at least five matches earlier and accused FIFA of being one of the most corrupt organizations globally. She expressed that her concern was not about facing Argentina on the field but rather confronting FIFA itself, which she suggested was intent on awarding the World Cup to Lionel Messi.
Controversy over officiating intensified after Argentina’s 3-2 victory against Egypt in the round of 16. That match included a goal by Mostafa Zico that was overturned by VAR and a denied penalty appeal by Egypt, prompting the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) to file a formal complaint with FIFA. The EFA emphasized its commitment to defending the rights and interests of the Egyptian national team, describing it as a responsibility they take seriously.
In response, FIFA’s refereeing chief Pierluigi Collina dismissed claims of systematic bias during the tournament. Meanwhile, Argentina defender Lisandro Martinez praised the officials, calling their performance “excellent.” This episode adds to the ongoing debate surrounding refereeing decisions in the 2026 World Cup.
