Soccer-Not anti-Messi: Argentina's Rodriguez defends Ronaldo tattoo

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 - Group G - Italy v Argentina - Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand - July 24, 2023 Argentina's Yamila Rodriguez in action with Italy's Giada Greggi REUTERS/David Rowland/File Photo

(Reuters) - Argentina forward Yamila Rodriguez has defended herself for having a tattoo of Cristiano Ronaldo inked on her left shin, saying that favouring the Portugal star is not a sign she does not appreciate their World Cup-winning talisman Lionel Messi.

The 25-year-old, who also has a tattoo of Argentina great Diego Maradona on her left thigh, said she had been receiving criticism on social media for the tattoo of Ronaldo, Messi's great rival.