Piers Morgan steps in to defend Cristiano Ronaldo

The debate between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi remains more alive than ever, and the Portuguese star’s recent red card against Ireland has reignited the controversy. After receiving the first red card of his international career for an elbow on Dara O’Shea, Ronaldo was ruled out of the decisive match against Armenia and could miss the opening games of the 2026 World Cup.

British journalist Piers Morgan, a close friend of the Portuguese forward, wasted no time coming to his defense. Morgan posted a clip of Messi with Inter Miami, where the Argentine pushes a rival, implying that the action received no punishment. His provocative comment: “When Messi did exactly the same recently, nothing was done,” sparked outrage and reignited the endless debate over who is the greatest player of all time.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s red card and its repercussions

CR7’s sending off occurred during Portugal’s 2–0 loss to Ireland in Dublin. The Al-Nassr striker was first shown a yellow card for an elbow before VAR upgraded it to a straight red. This incident not only rules Ronaldo out of the next qualifier, but could also impact his participation in the 2026 World Cup.

Ireland’s coach, Heimir Hallgrimsson, stated that Ronaldo’s own action was the cause of the expulsion: “It had nothing to do with me; it was his action on the field that cost him the red card.” This confirms the seriousness of the foul and the pressure on Portugal’s captain during decisive moments.

Piers Morgan and his relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo

Piers Morgan has always been direct and controversial in his comments. His closeness to Ronaldo has allowed him to conduct exclusive interviews and produce content that supports the Portuguese star’s image. Morgan not only defends CR7’s actions but also takes every opportunity to criticize Messi, reinforcing the eternal comparison between the two.

The British journalist even recently highlighted Ronaldo’s trust in him, recalling an interview in which the Portuguese star claimed he felt like the best in history and stated that winning the World Cup is not his obsession, showing his competitive mindset and unique personality.

Debate and online reaction

Morgan’s comment triggered a wave of reactions on social media. Many believe the comparison with Messi makes no sense, while others support the journalist’s stance. What remains clear is that every action by Ronaldo and Messi continues to be dissected in detail, especially when it involves fouls, red cards, or decisive moments.

This situation reflects how the rivalry between the two football giants remains alive, even as both approach the final years of their careers. Ronaldo’s red card and Piers Morgan’s criticism of Messi once again bring the eternal question back to the table: who is truly the greatest of all time?