24 July 2023 , 11:39
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Can you even be an Argentina footballer and choose Cristiano Ronaldo over Lionel Messi? Most wouldn't dare - but if you're Yamila Rodriguez, the answer is an astounding yes.
The 25-year-old footballer was spotted on the touchline at Eden Park ahead of her side’s Women’s World Cup opener against Italy on Monday with a left leg inked in total footballing paradox: a tattoo of Argentina legend Diego Maradona looking typically celestial and resplendent, sat above the undeniable inked profile of Portugal and former Real Madrid star Ronaldo.
With Messi having accomplished the feat of feats for Argentina as recently as December when he lifted his nation’s first World Cup trophy since Maradona’s 1986 triumph, the combination of tattoos is undeniably surprising. But the the Palmeiras forward has made no secret of her admiration for Ronaldo - and has previously discussed her preference for the Al Nassr forward over Inter Miami’s newest signing in the GOAT debate.
“My idol is Cristiano Ronaldo, not Messi,” Rodriguez told ESPN Vivi last year.
The claim is not in isolation, with the forward having also told Argentinian newspaper Ole: “[Ronaldo] is, without a doubt, the best player in the world. I watched him play and thought: how can he be so perfect? He surprises me with everything that he does. With this tattoo, now I have Cristiano with me forever.”
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The Ronaldo and Maradona tattoos are one of many Rodriguez dons.
Nevertheless, channelling her inner Messi at this summer’s World Cup rather than Ronaldo might inspire a better outcome for Rodriguez’s side as they attempt to claim a first every victory at a Women's World Cup.
Yamila Rodriguez's tattoos (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)That attempt took a cruel blow as Germán Portanova's succumbed to a late 1-0 opening group stage defeat to Italy. The loss means Argentina will need to rally against South Africa - who are ranked 26 places beneath them according to FIFA at 54 - if they are to emerge from the group stages for the first time in their history.
This summer’s tournament marks only the fourth time Argentina’s women’s national team have graced a Women’s World Cup, a far cry from the storied history of their men’s team.
The disparity is to be expected of a side that, seven years ago following the 2015 Women’s World Cup, was defunded by the Argentinian Football Association. Though the team returned a year later, they have battled turmoil on and off the pitch as they bid to make space for themselves in Argentina’s football culture.
A thrilling 3-3 draw with Scotland at the 2019 Women’s World Cup helped to ignite some of that charge, with Argentina recovering from a 3-0 deficit to stake their comeback. The result, which very nearly secured an historic second round spot, clashed with Argentina’s Copa America match with Paraguay, in which the great Messi scored in.
Yet, fans across the country tuned in to watch the women’s game, marking a major shift in the perception of women’s football in the nation.
Argentina return to Women's World Cup action when they face South Africa in their second group stage match on Friday, followed by a final group stage clash against Sweden.