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Chris Martin Triggers Cristiano Ronaldo Vs Lionel Messi Debate After Coldplay Concert

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Marcelo Cartaxo | Last updated Jul 28, 2025 9:45 AM ET

After the scandal involving Astronomer's CEO and an HR employee, the Coldplay fan camera has become one of the most-watched moments at every show. And in the band’s recent stop in Miami, it pointed at one of the most recognizable couples in the world: Lionel Messi and his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo.

The camera zoomed in on the pair during the show, and Chris Martin didn’t miss the chance to give Messi his flowers. The Coldplay frontman called him “the greatest sports person ever”, a statement that immediately sparked a wave of reactions online—especially from Cristiano Ronaldo fans who took to social media to disagree with the praise.

The Coldplay camera, now almost as famous as the band’s visuals themselves, was previously responsible for a viral moment that rocked the tech world. During another show, it landed on the CEO of Astronomer and a company HR worker who looked visibly uncomfortable under the spotlight. Internet users quickly identified the two, and within hours, both were reportedly fired. The CEO’s former wife filed for divorce shortly after.

Since then, fans have kept a close eye on who the Coldplay cam might catch next. This time, it was Messi and Antonela—and once again, the internet lit up.

"The number one sports person of all time!" Chris Martin's Jumbotron song for Lionel Messi at #ColdplayMiami pic.twitter.com/NeNHP3yQEJ
— Coldplaying (@coldplaying) July 28, 2025

What Cristiano Fans Were Saying?

Even though there has never been a real beef between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi throughout their years facing off in El Clásico, the same can’t be said for their fanbases.

After the video of Messi and Antonela showing up on the jumbotron began to spread, several social media accounts reposted the moment with excitement. But the comment sections told a different story. Wherever the comments weren’t turned off, Ronaldo fans were quick to argue that Chris Martin only called the person on the screen “the greatest sports person ever” because Cristiano wasn’t there.

Some even brought Pelé into the debate. “Athlete? Hahahaha Pelé and Cristiano Ronaldo must be what then?” one comment read. Others took it further, dragging in names from different sports—Tom Brady, Michael Phelps, and Novak Djokovic all ended up in the conversation.

What was meant to be a lighthearted moment turned into another battleground in the endless Messi vs. Ronaldo debate.

Nada de amantes. Neste domingo, no último show do Coldplay nos Estados Unidos (Miami), o telão focou no Lionel Messi e sua esposa, Antonela Roccuzzo.

O Chris Martin: "Por favor, deem as boas-vindas ao maior atleta de todos os tempos."pic.twitter.com/0PDixBBPhl
— Sérgio Santos (@ZAMENZA) July 28, 2025

Lionel Messi's Net Worth 2025

Lionel Messi is the highest-paid player in Major League Soccer, earning $16 million this season. His current contract with Inter Miami runs through the end of the year, but the club is already working on an extension. According to Forbes, Messi is expected to make $135 million in 2025, placing him as the fifth highest-paid athlete in the world.

His MLS salary is just a fraction of his total earnings. Brand deals with Adidas, Gatorade, and most recently, Stanley, make up a significant portion of his income. The thermal bottle brand recently launched a Messi collection featuring his signature logo — with prices starting at $40.