Cristiano Ronaldo has stirred fresh controversy on social media after his verified account liked a post by a journalist describing FIFA as “one of the most c0rrupt institutions on the planet.”

The post criticized FIFA’s governance and decision-making, with Ronaldo’s interaction quickly attracting widespread attention online.

FIFA faced intense scrutiny over its conduct and decisions throughout the World Cup and in the months leading up to the final.

Speaking on the Spanish programme Espejo Público, journalists Pilar Rodrigues Losantos and Ruben Amon were highly critical of the governing body.

Rodrigues Losantos said:

“Argentina is a team that should have been eliminated about five matches ago – thanks to the help of FIFA, one of the most corrupt institutions on the planet [they weren’t eliminated].

‘Consequently, Argentina doesn’t scare me at all; what scares me is Infantino.

‘I believe we won’t just be playing against Argentina, but against the entire FIFA institution, which wants to hand the World Cup to Messi, just as happened four years ago in Qatar.’

Amon added:

“Ticket prices have turned what was once a sport for the masses into an experience reserved for the elite; football is a people’s sport that has ceased to be one.

‘I consider FIFA to be an abject, mafia-like, and shameful organisation. Football survives despite the conduct of this disturbing body, and we will still enjoy the match, but not because of the conditions FIFA has imposed.’

Ronaldo and Portugal were eliminated by Spain in the Round of 16, while Spain went on to defeat Argentina 1-0 after extra time, with Ferran Torres scoring the decisive goal in the 106th minute to secure the 2026 FIFA World Cup title.