“I didn’t expect someone like you to be so incapable of telling the difference between confidence and arrogance,” commented Ilia Topuria in response to Cristiano Ronaldo referring to ‘El Matador’ as overly vocal. Three months on from their initial disagreement, Georgian-Spanish fighter Ilia Topuria reignited their disagreement by inviting Lionel Messi for their next fight instead – an act which seemed intended to exclude Cristiano Ronaldo as well.
Topuria amplified his rivalry with Ronaldo during an interaction with Juanma Castano of El Partidazo Cope when discussing potential fights in Miami. Topuria expressed his preference for inviting Lionel Messi over Cristiano Ronaldo due to Messi residing locally; comments such as, “Cristiano always has something to say but since Messi lives nearby I invite him instead; Ronaldo can take a hike,” were met with laughter and applause by audience members.
The exchange took everyone by surprise, including the host Castaño, who did not see the comment coming. Topuria quipped back with reference to Ronaldo’s pick of Max Holloway over him at UFC 308, highlighting the unpredictability he shares with fighters Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway. His sharp retort was also a direct response to Ronaldo’s preference for Holloway in that fight, further fueling their ongoing clash of words.
Ronaldo’s remarks prior to UFC 308, where he favored Holloway over Topuria in a casual conversation shared by the PFL, provoked the UFC champion. Topuria, expressing disdain for being underestimated due to his outspoken nature, took the opportunity to challenge Ronaldo’s criticisms head-on.
Besides, Topuria’s allegiance to Real Madrid – Ronaldo’s former club – adds another layer to their confrontation. His decision to openly criticize Ronaldo, a celebrated figure among Madrid fans, sparked a wide array of reactions online.
Public Reactions to Topuria’s Remarks on Ronaldo
Given Cristiano Ronaldo’s iconic status, especially in Spain, his supporters quickly rallied to defend him against Topuria’s comments. Critics of Topuria pointed out the inconsistency in his support for Messi, highlighting the footballer’s Argentine heritage, and questioned Topuria’s motives, suggesting that his comments were more about seeking attention than genuine sports rivalry.
On social media, fans and critics alike questioned Topuria’s allegiance to Real Madrid, given his recent statements against one of the club’s most celebrated players. Some accused him of chasing publicity at the expense of respect, while others saw his comments as a reflection of insecurity.
Furthermore, Ronaldo’s avid interest in combat sports contrasted starkly with Messi’s general lack of interest sparked speculations that Messi might even not know of Topuria; underscoring his comments as one-sided and unilateral.
Ilia Topuria may have stirred controversy with his criticisms of Cristiano Ronaldo; the subsequent reaction by football fans and especially Ronaldo fans shows the delicate balance between sports rivalry and respect among athletes across different sports disciplines.