Rodriguez: ‘I don’t hate Messi, I only love Ronaldo’

Argentina forward Yamila Rodriguez has hit out at the criticism she has received for sporting a tattoo of Cristiano Ronaldo, insisting she is not "anti-Messi".

The 25-year-old was spotted on the touchline at Eden Park ahead of her side's Women’s World Cup opener against Italy on Monday with the undeniable inked profile of Ronaldo visible on her left leg. The revelation caused quite a stir, considering the rivalry that has raged between the Portuguese superstar and Rodriguez's fellow countryman for more than a decade.

Messi, 36, won the men’s World Cup with Argentina in Qatar last year, further cementing his hero status in his homeland. But Rodriguez has now taken to social media to call for an end to the backlash she has received for instead preferring the Al Nassr forward.

In an Instagram post, she said: "Please, enough. I’m not doing well. At what moment did I say I was anti-Messi? Stop saying things that I didn't say because the truth is I'm not doing well (in the middle of a World Cup where I'm representing my country.) I'm doing poorly because of you guys, but because of the awful things you’re saying, without respect. One can't have an idol or a player that they like? Please.

"I never said I'm anti-Messi and never would be. He is the

captain of our national team – me saying that my inspiration and idol is CR7 (Ronaldo) doesn't mean that I hate Messi. Just to me (we can all like different things) I like the other player better, the one that inspired me.

"What's the problem? We’re not all obligated to love the players from our own country. Please understand that this is football and everyone has their own preferences and that lifting one player up doesn't mean burying the other."

Rodriguez came off the bench to play for 14 minutes in Argentina's 1-0 loss to Italy in their opening game of Group G.

She has spoken many times about her admiration for Ronaldo, telling the Argentinian newspaper Ole: "[Ronaldo] is, without a doubt, the best player in the world. I watched him play and thought: how can he be so perfect? He surprises me with everything that he does. With this tattoo, now I have Cristiano with me forever."

Rodriguez will be hoping to help Argentina get out of the group stage for the first time in their history. They take on South Africa this Friday.