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Red Bull Salzburg faces backlash from Cristiano Ronaldo fans after using a video of the star in tears to announce their FIFA Club World Cup exit, sparking fierce criticism over disrespect and the portrayal of Ronaldo as the "face of defeat."
Red Bull Salzburg have forced outrage among Cristiano Ronaldo fans after their controversial social media post following the club’s exit from the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States.
The Austrian side bowed out after finishing third in Group H, following a 3-0 defeat to Real Madrid and a late loss by Pachuca to Al Hilal, which sealed Salzburg’s elimination.
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Salzburg’s Exit and Real Madrid’s Dominance
Real Madrid topped Group H with a commanding 3-0 victory over Salzburg at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium, thanks to Vinicius Jr’s goal and assist and Gonzalo Garcia’s tournament goal.
With Al Hilal’s late strike against Pachuca, Salzburg’s fate was sealed, ending their journey in the competition and sending them home early.
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In response to their elimination, Salzburg posted a video on social media featuring Cristiano Ronaldo in tears during his Juventus days, captioned: “Our journey in the Club World Cup comes to an end.”
Ronaldo Fans Furious Over Salzburg’s Post
The post from the club caused a furious backlash from Ronaldo’s fans, who saw the club’s use of the Portuguese star as the “face of defeat” as disrespectful.
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One fan slammed the move, saying, “What’s this disrespect? No wonder you’re a failed team.”
Another accused Salzburg of jealousy: “Are you jealous of his new salary?” A third fan contrasted football legends, writing, “Face of football: Messi. Face of defeat: Ronaldo.”
Nigerian fans chimed in with local expressions of disbelief, such as, “Ogun go kee una as una use CR7 do face of defeat,” highlighting their anger at the perceived insult to Ronaldo’s legacy.
The backlash shows the passionate loyalty Ronaldo commands worldwide and the sensitivity around his image, especially when used in contexts implying failure.
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Salzburg, the surprise European underdogs at the tournament, had qualified as the ninth-best ranked UEFA team and faced tough competition in Group H alongside Real Madrid, Al Hilal, and Pachuca.
Despite their early exit, the club has been keen to prove their worth on the global stage but now faces criticism for their controversial social media approach.
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