ope michael

I joined Twitter not only 2 meet people but to make my voice heard about issues of governance,economy and others,to criticize reasonably n gv kudos whr needed.

[ope michael @opemichael2]

@fagbemi_hamza If it's not stage, the Alfa is so dull. Chai!!

[ope michael @opemichael2]

@Olubellyally @Ola___ife 😂😂😂

[ope michael @opemichael2]

@EmeraldZee1 Talk is cheap

[Onyeka Nwelue @onyekanwelue]

Did you notice that the children of Nigerian politicians are not graduating from Oxford or Cambridge? Why?

[ope michael @opemichael2]

@KemPatriot I enjoyed watching this.

[ope michael @opemichael2]

@travisnottscot @oku_yungx LoL, oku lawon mejeji.

[ope michael @opemichael2]

@alexjmingolla From Messi fan perspective, this is your truth,but if you come down from your high horse,try and do a reflection,if you can.Messi getting piled on is not an isolated event,but series of events that were overlooked in the past,which this WC exposed.

[#TheSportsIlluminator @RayToluAyo]

"You want to stoke the fire? Then be prepared to feel the heat"

One thing I have learned over the past few days from the Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi debate is this:

Many people can't take what they have spent years dishing out.

I genuinely didn't expect Messi fans to crash out this badly. I thought they have it all

I mean Messi has completed football. It should be enough bragging rights for them, yet, it wasn't

They have gone back and forth, cooked up different narratives to defend that woeful display by Argentina at the 2026 FIFA World Cup final. I have read so many things

Messi fans couldn't believe what they have witnessed in the past few days, hence, they call 'hatred and paid campaign against Messi'

"Ronaldo fans are trying to destroy Messi's legacy because Cristiano never won the World Cup."

Really?

So when criticism is directed at Messi, it's an organized smear campaign.

But when the same or even worse was done to Ronaldo for years, it was simply the truth?

For a long time, I stayed away from the Ronaldo vs Messi wars.

I dislike pointless fan arguments. I preferred focusing on football itself while exposing agendas whenever I came across them.

That is exactly what pulled me into debates with many Messi fans.

I noticed something interesting.

Present tactical analysis.

Present historical context.

Present quotes from players and coaches.

Present objective comparisons.

If the conclusion challenges their existing belief, it is immediately rejected.

Whenever I argued that Ronaldo has often been portrayed unfairly by sections of the media, the response was immediate:

"No, he's just a bad person."

Whenever I highlighted controversies involving Messi, there was always another explanation.

Another excuse.

Another justification.

Many people have already decided what they believe about both players. Years of media narratives have shaped those opinions, and changing them has become almost impossible.

Now the tables have turned.

The reaction has been fascinating.

People claimed the World Cup was "rigged for Argentina."

Messi fans dismissed it as propaganda.

Yet when people questioned Ronaldo's career for years with equally exaggerated narratives, many of those same voices accepted every word without hesitation.

Take the international trophy debate.

When people argued Ángel Di María was the real reason Argentina finally won trophies, Messi fans immediately asked:

"Are you going to erase everything Messi did from the group stage to the final?"

Fair question.

But when Ronaldo supporters said exactly the same thing about Euro 2016 after Éder scored the winning goal, the response was different.

"Ronaldo did nothing."

Same situation.

Different standard.

Then comes the personality argument.

Ronaldo is labelled selfish.

Self-centred.

Obsessed with himself.

Yet, when Zlatan Ibrahimović revealed that Messi wanted to move into the central role at Barcelona a decision that affected Zlatan's position in the team, it was defended as a normal football decision.

Apparently, context only matters when Messi is involved.

That is the inconsistency.

For years, many people celebrated attacks on Ronaldo's image.

They said he deserved every criticism.

Now that Messi is facing similar scrutiny, suddenly the conversation has changed.

Now it's hatred.

Now it's propaganda.

Now it's a paid campaign.

If you celebrated every attack on Ronaldo's image for years...

Don't suddenly cry about "hate campaigns" because Messi is finally experiencing criticism.

If you laughed while one player was dragged through the mud...

Don't expect sympathy when your favourite player gets muddy too.

Because once you normalize selective outrage, you lose the right to complain when the spotlight eventually turns.

Football debates are not poisoned by disagreement.

They are poisoned by double standards.

If you want to light the fire

Don't be surprised when the flames eventually reach your side.

[ope michael @opemichael2]

@RayToluAyo I read this piece like I was preparing for an exam, I so enjoyed it. No room for double standard or goal post shifting when discussion doesn't favour Messi. The energy used in criticizing Ronaldo, should not be toned down for Messi.

[Stiff FC @Stiff_FC]

And honestly there’s nothing ‘sudden’ about it… anecdotally, all of my mates have never genuinely respected Messi. And I’m sure plenty of you can agree. This isn’t new.

You can respect his ability as a player. He’s clearly one of the best of all time. But his entire career has been shrouded in controversy. I can remember being a kid and watching the 2009 UCL semi against Chelsea and having the same thoughts on Messi that I am now.

Also not to mention, the historical and continued racism from Argentinian players and fans. While Messi himself might not be racist… he’s the captain and figurehead of this Argentinian team. He has never come out and publicly denounced racist actions of players/fans. People don’t like racism. Shock horror! Who would’ve thought!

[Stiff FC @Stiff_FC]

“Why everyone suddenly hates Messi” is genuinely the most misguided take of all time.

I’ve seen so many posts similar to this lately. Painting Argentina and Messi as the ‘victims’ of a big hate campaign. Pull up whatever irrelevant algorithmic data you want. Blame paid accounts. Quote psychological theory. At the end of the day… it’s pretty simple.

Barcelona allegedly paid off referees for 2 decades, spanning Messi’s entire career…

The Argentinian FA are being investigated for money laundering. We’ve all seen the blatant refereeing favouritism across two World Cups now. We all saw their violent, aggressive and petulant behaviour all tournament. We aren’t blind…

Inter Miami, disproportionate to the rest of the MLS, hoarded old European talent and walk the league as soon as Messi arrives. Somehow qualifying for the Club World Cup without actually meeting any criteria for such qualification. This is a plastic club, with no history and purchased success…

While you can’t blame all of this on Messi, obviously. He is clearly complicit. He clearly benefits from the purchased success of such institutions. He is clearly a money milking machine for FIFA and America. Something Infantino is well aware of… he ‘suffers’ with Messi after all.

And people don’t like it. People don’t like blatantly manufactured success. People don’t like cheats. People don’t like teachers pets. People don’t like players that try and get other players (Cucurella) unfairly sent off in a World Cup final when they are clearly being outclassed on the pitch. People don’t like people that lack integrity.

But nah. I guess we’re all swept up in mass hysteria! We’re all brain washed! And this is dangerous rhetoric!

Shut up. The Messi bias is nauseating.

[Adeleke R. Bolanle¹⁵ 👨🏾‍💻🎨✨🇳🇬 @ButtyGhetto_]

we didn’t accuse ESPN, FOX News, Henry or Ibrahimovic of being paid to scrutinize Cristiano Ronaldo despite overlooking Bruno Fernandez, Vitinha and co mistakes 😄

If you can’t take what you dish, just go and watch Cocomelon and stop disgracing yourselves 🤦🏽‍♂️😏

[ope michael @opemichael2]

@omaakatugba You can cut your size of handkerchief from this material to wipe away tears.

[ope michael @opemichael2]

@urbinhoxha @Elderr_K @osita_chidoka 😂

[ope michael @opemichael2]

@Cristiano @EWC_EN Ororo mi, bawo ni?

[ope michael @opemichael2]

@olabiisii1 @fcbfootballblog Unfortunately, it did not happen. Try again next time.

[Oyiga Micheal @Nsukka_okpa]

Do not allow Messi fans Gaslight you using"most trophies and individual honors" as a Metric for the GOAT debate 😂

Up until 2025, Dani Alves had the highest number of trophies won, nobody referred to him as the undisputed GOAT of football.

Before Messi and Ronaldo, Michel Platini was the untouchable king with his consecutive Ballon d'Ors. No one referred to him as the GOAT of football because he had most ballon D’or.

It is pure, unadulterated recency bias.

The second Messi statistically catches up, the goalposts magically shift.

The same way they invented Knock out Goals that wasn’t a metric in 2010 World Cup when he had zero knock out goal, the same way International trophy doesn’t matter to be the GoAT but immediately he has one, it suddenly matters.

Let’s never forget how they started using Goal and Assist as a metric since Ronaldo started having more Goals.

No allow them Gaslight you.

Viva Ronaldo.
Siuuuuuu.

[ope michael @opemichael2]

@CRawkeen 😂😂😂😂😂, you always make me laugh. E gbe sinu omi kole yoro, a lo lenu dada bayen.

[ope michael @opemichael2]

@Hutman_RM LoL, the penalty they so talk down on would have made their goat eclipse Mbappe. Deep down they wish he scored the missed penalty. One thing is constant about them, they will change goal post once stat doesn't favour them.