The journey of Yamila Rodriguez, in the ongoing Women’s World Cup, came to a disappointing end as Argentina crashed out during the Group stage.
Fans on Twitter seized the opportunity to celebrate her misfortune and take jabs at both Rodriguez and her ‘idol’ Cristiano Ronaldo.
On the platform, trolls didn’t hold back, drawing parallels between Rodriguez’s exit and Ronaldo’s experiences at the Men’s World Cup. One fan mockingly tweeted, “Copying Ronaldo’s 2014 WC group stage exit,” while another wrote, “She was benched like her Idolo.”
The comparisons were rooted in Ronaldo’s history. This includes his 2014 Men’s World Cup group stage exit and his benching in key matches during the 2022 edition for Portugal.
During the ongoing tournament, Rodriguez’s playing time was limited to a mere 55 minutes across three group-stage matches. She contributed only one assist as Argentina failed to secure a single victory.
Controversy has surrounded Rodriguez, particularly due to her open admiration for Cristiano Ronaldo. The media spotlight intensified when news outlets reported on her tattoo of Ronaldo on her thigh and her World Cup photoshoot, where she drew inspiration from Ronaldo’s signature ‘nap’ celebration.
However, some Argentines viewed these actions as disrespectful towards their Men’s team captain, Lionel Messi. The Argentine legend has been pitted against Ronaldo throughout his career. Adding to the scrutiny, fans dug up old social media posts in which Rodriguez expressed strong words against Messi and his mother, earning her the label of being ‘Anti-Messi’.
Martin Liberman defends Yamila Rodriguez
Amidst the mounting criticism towards Yamila Rodriguez, a prominent Argentinian journalist, Martin Liberman, stepped forward to support her.
Liberman’s response was swift, and he took to Twitter to express his strong sentiments. His tweet read, “Sh*tty country. They even want to choose your idols. Where did they come from?”
Liberman’s outspoken defense of Rodriguez came at a time when she was facing intense backlash for her actions and admiration for Cristiano Ronaldo. The journalist’s statement on social media reflected his frustration with the Argentine fan’s tendency to cross boundaries in the name of soccer.
Liberman’s intervention added an intriguing layer of complexity to the situation, igniting a thought-provoking discussion among fans about the connection between patriotism and one’s country’s sports teams.
Are these sentiments inherently intertwined, or can they exist as mutually exclusive concepts? The debate delves into the broader implications of how sports fandom and national pride intersect. It prompts Argentina fans to reflect on their own beliefs and values in the context of the controversy surrounding Yamila Rodriguez.
