As Long as Messi Exists, Cristiano Can Go F* Himself”: Ilia Topuria Stuns Spain with Scathing Comments

In a shocking turn of events, UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria has unleashed a verbal tirade against his former idol, Cristiano Ronaldo. The Georgian-born fighter, now a proud Spaniard and ardent Real Madrid supporter, criticized the Portuguese superstar in an interview with Cadena Cope, following what he perceived as an unprovoked insult from Ronaldo during an MMA event.

The incident began when Ronaldo referred to Topuria as a “big talker,” a comment that did not sit well with the undefeated champion. In response, Topuria fired back, saying:
“Let him go and f** himself. I didn’t expect someone like Ronaldo to confuse self-confidence with arrogance.”*

The backlash didn’t end there. When asked which football star he would personally invite to his next fight in Miami, Topuria dropped a bombshell by choosing Lionel Messi over Ronaldo, declaring:
“As long as Messi exists, Cristiano can go f** himself.”*

This statement, delivered with his signature wit, drew laughter from the audience and stunned the show’s host, Juanma Castaño.

Mixed Emotions for Real Madrid Fans
Despite his harsh words for Ronaldo, Topuria remains a staunch supporter of Real Madrid. Earlier this year, the club honored him after his title defense against Alexander Volkanovski. Topuria has even expressed his dream of organizing a fight at the iconic Santiago Bernabéu stadium.

While his recent comments have sparked controversy, some speculate that they may be part of the typical pre-fight theatrics seen in MMA. Still, the feud between the five-time Ballon d’Or winner and the 16-0 UFC champion has left fans wondering whether reconciliation is possible—or if this is the beginning of a lasting rivalry.

Only time will tell if this war of words will escalate or fade away, but for now, Ilia Topuria has made his stance crystal clear: he’s team Messi.