![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/yamila_rodriguez_x1x.jpg_8206972-696x392.jpg\" "\\"yamila_rodriguez_x1x.jpg_8206972\\"\/")
<\/div>\nArgentina forward Yamila Rodriguez said having a tattoo of Cristiano Ronaldo on her leg does not mean she is anti-Lionel Messi.<\/p>\n
Rodriguez, 25, has received criticism on social media, with fans claiming the artwork is disrespectful to Argentina star Messi.<\/p>\n
Messi and Portugal\u2019s Ronaldo are long-term rivals and are regarded as the best players of their generation.<\/p>\n
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\u201cAt what point did I say that I\u2019m anti-Messi?\u201d Rodriguez said on Instagram.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not having a bad time because of you [fans] but for the atrocities that are said, without mercy.<\/p>\n
\u201cCan\u2019t you have an idol or a player you like? Messi is our great captain in the national team but the fact that I say that my inspiration and my idol is CR7 [Ronaldo] does not mean that I hate Messi.\u201d<\/p>\n
Messi, 36, and Ronaldo, 38, have 12 Ballons d\u2019Or between them \u2013 the trophy awarded to the world\u2019s best player in a calendar year.<\/p>\n
The pair\u2019s rivalry developed while Inter Miami\u2019s Messi was at Barcelona and Al Nassr\u2019s Ronaldo played for Real Madrid between 2009 and 2018.<\/p>\n
Rodriguez, who also has a tattoo of Argentina legend and former World Cup-winning captain Diego Maradona on her thigh, has called for fans to be more open-minded.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat is the problem? We are not all obliged to only love the players of our country,\u201d said Rodriguez.<\/p>\n
\u201cPlease understand that this is football and everyone has appreciation. Their preferences and highlighting one does not mean burying the other.<\/p>\n
\u201cEnough. It tires me, it hurts me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rodriguez came on as a substitute in Argentina\u2019s 1-0\u00a0defeat by Italy\u00a0in their Women\u2019s World Cup Group G opener.<\/p>\n
They play South Africa on Friday.<\/p>\n
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