Ronaldo fired Real Madrid to the Champions League last month and, since then, has taken the World Cup by storm.
The 33-year-old took his tally for the tournament to four after bagging the winner for Portugal against Morocco yesterday.
Cristiano Ronaldo was sporting a goatee for the occasion with fans convinced it was a barb at Lionel Messi.
Messi is often referred to as the GOAT – greatest of all time – and many believed his facial hair was a dig at his rival, who had posed with the animal in a photoshoot with Adidas and Spanish outlet Don Balon say Ronaldo is angry at how Messi is held in such high regard.
The Portugal international’s body language suggests as such. Ronaldo scored a hat-trick against Spain on Friday and rubbed his chin in a goat-like manner.
Don Balon say the former Manchester United star bristles as the suggestion that Messi is better than him and now, he reportedly wants a one on one showdown with his Barcelona and Argentina rival at this year’s World Cup.
Ronaldo’s former team-mate Roy Keane, meanwhile, thinks the veteran has eclipsed Messi.
“I think there has been a great debate about him (Ronaldo) and Messi but over the last six months I think he’s on a new level – Ronaldo’s out there on his own,” Keane said on ITV.
“It’s not natural ability, as brilliant as he is, it’s sheer hard work. He’s got a lot of courage, he’s brave and the guy is a genius.
“I think his form over the last few months I’d have him above of Messi.”