Garnacho, Messi, Ronaldo and a social media story with real-world consequences

It is a tale of modern times involving the two biggest names in football that might easily be dismissed as social media absurdity but for the fact it has had real-world consequences for Alejandro Garnacho.

The story? That Lionel Messi unfollowed his compatriot Garnacho on Instagram because the 19-year-old makes no secret of his admiration for Cristiano Ronaldo. The truth is that Messi never followed Garnacho in the first place, and the pair share a good relationship when joining up for Argentina duty.

But the power of the internet and the star figures involved has meant the false news has caused a stir in their homeland, and those close to Garnacho wish to ensure the correct situation is known.

How did it all start?

Rio Ferdinand heaped praise on Garnacho during an episode of his YouTube show Vibe with Five following the teenager’s wonder goal at Goodison Park. “Breathtaking moment,” Ferdinand said. The former United captain even ranked Garnacho’s overhead kick higher than Wayne Rooney’s against Manchester City in 2011.

Reacting to Garnacho’s subsequent ‘Siu’ celebration, used by Ronaldo, Ferdinand added, laughing: “Do you know what I love about him? He don’t give a f***. My lad said to me that Messi’s unfollowed him. Because he comes out, ‘I’m a Ronaldo man. Who’s the GOAT? Ronaldo’. When he’s in the Argentina squad.”

Garnacho has never said this and though Ferdinand would later clarify he was imagining the scenario, it has been interpreted in some quarters as genuine.

Ferdinand added, speaking as Garnacho, “‘I love Messi but Ronaldo’s my GOAT’. So he ain’t been in the squad since for Argentina. No, I’m joking!” Again, as Ferdinand stated, this was said in jest and is not true.

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And this caused the issue?

There was a further element, which stems from a fundamental misquote. Stories appeared on MailOnline, the Sun and the Mirror, among other websites, which incorrectly reported Ferdinand as saying: “Garnacho told me that Messi unfollowed him just because he makes no secret of preferring Ronaldo.”

This is categorically untrue. Garnacho never said anything of the sort to anybody, let alone Ferdinand, who didn’t claim it either. It is a crucial falsehood because it changes the significance from something Ferdinand has suggested offhand to a fact established by Garnacho himself.

Garnacho has a good relationship with Messi (Matias Baglietto/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

How can news outlets get it so wrong?

Those reporting the quote seem to have simply lifted it from an Instagram account, without watching Ferdinand’s video. The Secret Scout, which has 167,000 followers, posted the incorrect quote and gained 11,370 likes within 24 hours.

The Secret Scout, apparently responding to people pointing out the error, then posted a clip of the Ferdinand footage so followers could make up their own minds. This follow-up only attracted 293 likes. The original incorrect post is still public and the articles containing the false statement all remain up.

What about Ferdinand’s actual words?

In the video, Ferdinand is obviously joking about Garnacho’s place in the Argentina squad being dependent on his public admiration for Ronaldo. He turns to the camera with a smile to make that clear.

It is difficult, however, to tell how serious he is about the unfollowing on Instagram. Ferdinand later posted on X saying: “Was sarcasm bro…”

Why does this matter?

Ordinarily, mistakes like this can be brushed off as part of the social media bubble. But major news accounts in Argentina have picked up the story and there is some concern from those who know Garnacho that it will become accepted as factual.

Garnacho is in an unusual position of having shared dressing rooms with Ronaldo and Messi, and he has huge respect for both.

Messi has been very welcoming of Garnacho when he has been called up to the Argentina squad and has spoken highly of him. Messi celebrated with Garnacho after the 36-year-old scored his free kick against Ecuador in September. Garnacho posted a picture of the celebration online, calling Messi “The King” with a goat emoji.

Garnacho, who has three caps, was also in Argentina’s squad for the October games. Although he was left out of the November internationals, his goal at Goodison Park will ensure he is on the radar for the next break in March.

(Top photo: Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)