Lionel Messi has been brutally mocked by Saudi Arabia supporters, who paid huge tribute to Cristiano Ronaldo after their shock 2-1 victory over Argentina.
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Saudi Arabia stunned spectators across the globe with an impressive 2-1 win over the South Americans in their opening World Cup match in Qatar on Tuesday, with King Salman announcing a public holiday so the country can celebrate it.
Messi had opened the scoring for Argentina in what is likely to be his last opportunity to win the World Cup before retirement as Saudi Arabia completed a comeback in one of the greatest upsets in the tournament’s history.
Saudi Arabia fans decided to celebrate by performing Ronaldo’s trademark ‘Siu’ celebration in front of angry Argentina fans outside the Lusail Stadium.
Saudi Arabia fans really hit the Ronaldo ‘SIU’ celebration after their win against Argentina ?
(via @marca) pic.twitter.com/8vKCSIU08R
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) November 22, 2022
‘Where is Messi?’ one Saudi supporter said in a video posted by ESPN, using his hands to mimic the use of a pair of binoculars. ‘I don’t see him! Tell me if he is here or not, I do not see him!’
Ronaldo and Messi are generally considered the best two current players in the world and their achievements are regularly compared, even this late into their respective careers.
Their rivalry got to the highest point when they were playing for Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively as they challenged for the same domestic titles in Spain for years, but has softened in recent years with Ronaldo back at Manchester United after a spell at Juventus & Messi now playing Paris-Saint Germain.
‘There are no excuses,’ Messi said after the historic defeat. ‘We are going to be more united than ever. ‘This team is strong and we have shown it in the past. We did not expect to start in this way, but things happen for a reason.
‘Now we have to win, it depends on us. I ask the fans to trust us. This group will not let them down.’
Ronaldo is also likely to be competing at his last World Cup, and like Messi, he has never won the trophy despite his incredible playing career.
Portugal’s opening World Cup match comes on Thursday when they play African team Ghana. While Argentina return to action on Saturday as they lock horns with Mexico.
