'Don't listen to Ronaldo' — Ligue 1 club use Messi in player unveiling

French side Lyon recently completed a six-month loan deal for Argentine attacking midfielder Thiago Almada from sister club, Brasileiro Serie A side, Botafogo.

The 23-year-old was a member of Argentina's 2022 World Cup-winning squad and for his Les Gones unveiling, two of his compatriots featured: Lyon’s left-back Nicolas Tagliafico and an alleged message from Lionel Messi, aiming a cheeky dig at Cristiano Ronaldo. 

Almada only recently became the biggest sale from an MLS club last summer, when he joined Botafogo from Atlanta United for $21 million, which could rise to $30 million in add-ons. 

His signing has been a success, as he helped Botafogo win Brazil's top-flight league and the Copa Libertadores. With Serie A in the off-season, Lyon leveraged their relationship with Botafogo—as part of a multi-club group involving Crystal Palace and RWB Molenbeek—to sign Almada on loan for the rest of the Ligue 1 season. 

On more than one occasion, Al Nassr star Ronaldo has questioned the quality and competitiveness of Ligue 1, comparing it to the Saudi Pro League, which in his view is superior. 

His latest comment on the topic saw him receive backlash from the league itself, utilising his rival, Messi, who is a two-time French champion, in a social media rebuttal. 

Lyon shared a video to announce Almada, and it featured an alleged text from the Inter Miami star saying to Almada, “Don’t listen to Cristiano; Ligue 1 is incredible.” The video also featured fellow World Cup winner Tagliafico, who served as a sort of guide for the new signing.