‘Lack of respect’: Fans react to controversial cover featuring Messi & Ronaldo kissing
The new edition of French outlet Football France has caused a stir among fans, after arguably the world’s two best players, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, were pictured kissing each other on the cover.
The outlet published the provocative illustration alongside a ‘Messi vs. Ronaldo’ poll for readers to vote for their favorite player. The idea of comparing the two football icons is not new, as their rivalry has been running for more than a decade, and they share 10 Ballon d’Or awards between them.
However, it was not the vote, but the front-page ‘kissing’ image that shocked fans, some of whom accused Football France of excessive attention seeking.
L'éternel débat entre #Ronaldo et #Messi à la Une du nouveau numéro de @francefootball !▶️Le sommaire détaillé : https://t.co/96zGzGj0tf▶️Disponible dès 18 heures ici : https://t.co/B3yMVmKZwC▶️En kiosque mardi pic.twitter.com/gDeLFTpUka
— france football (@francefootball) April 15, 2019
The controversial picture led some to compare the sports outlet with Charlie Hebdo, the French satirical magazine which was the target of terrorist attacks over its irreverent publications.
“Making the buzz is the French trend, right? Charlie Hebdo, FranceFootbal…” a user commented under Football France’s Twitter post.
Faire le buzz c'est avec les français, non? Charlie Hebdo,FranceFootbal... 😂
— Fora,Lisca 😎 (@Lepaixao) April 15, 2019
One person accused the outlet of stealing an image created by an Italian street artist who painted the kissing duo at a Barcelona bus stop in 2017.
Au passage pour votre culture, le dessin de cette Une est tiré d'une oeuvre de StreetArt réalisé dans les rues de Barcelone en 2017 par @tvboyofficial, un artiste graffeur italien.Bisous les haineux. pic.twitter.com/kJQ4xaD6dP
— Mino (@Minoskovic) April 15, 2019
Others demanded the picture be deleted, finding it offensive and disrespectful to the players’ families.
“It’s not that we’re shocked... but they have families; women and children and I find that it is a lack of respect towards them,” another person wrote.
C'est pas qu'on est choqué....mais ils ont des familles; des femmes et des enfants et je trouve que c'est un manque de respect envers eux
— Sandy U. (@SandyUmwizawase) April 15, 2019
“Out of respect for their wives it should be removed,” another comment reads.
Par respect pour leur femmes il faudrait supprimer
— Roi du slip🐲 (@inaFCB) April 15, 2019
Hein ?? pic.twitter.com/BIBgdkeykM
— Ryuk🇬🇵🇲🇶 (@Dylan_cmy) April 15, 2019
“You have no respect for these two legends or their families,” one user added.
Vous n'avez aucun respect pour ces deux légendes ni pour leurs familles. Vous êtes nuls
— Derviche Errant 🚶💙❤ (@atyPrezy) April 15, 2019
Je vois que les lobbyistes LGBT 🏳️🌈 sont passés par là ,... si je suis les joueurs en question,.... je porte plainte contre vous pour diffamation,... car vous induisez qu'ils sont homosexuel,.... 😩😜😰je déteste les journaleux !!!! pic.twitter.com/mLGGaavYl1
— ike1920 🇧🇯 (@ike1920) April 15, 2019
Some said the front-page picture totally “killed” Football France’s ‘best player’ poll.
La photo tue le debat !!!!!
— #shelter@barry (@shelterbarry1) April 15, 2019
— Hugo (@Hugo_Enox) April 15, 2019