Columnist Peter FitzSimons has criticized Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Erling Haaland, labeling them "poseurs" due to their off-field conduct during the ongoing World Cup.
FitzSimons, writing for the Sydney Morning Herald, questioned the attitudes of football's elite, particularly focusing on Ronaldo's comments regarding his World Cup performances and international retirement, and Messi's on-field acknowledgments. He also detailed Haaland's goal celebration during a match against Brazil.
Criticism of Football Stars
FitzSimons specifically targeted Ronaldo's remarks in press conferences, quoting him as saying, “Whatever happens tomorrow... Cristiano will leave with a clear conscience... I’m not going to be more, or less, Cristiano because I win the World Cup... Before Cristiano, Portugal hadn’t won any title.”
Messi faced criticism for thanking God for his footballing talents. FitzSimons suggested these thanks might have been better directed toward humanitarian causes, writing, "For only God knows how beneficent he has been in giving little ol’ Lionel such skills to wow the world, particularly when many would have thought his efforts might have been better directed to helping the children of Gaza and Ukraine."
Haaland's Celebration Under Scrutiny
A significant portion of FitzSimons' critique was reserved for Erling Haaland's celebration after scoring against Brazil. While the goal, assisted by Andreas Schjelderup, sent Norway towards a crucial quarter-final match, FitzSimons focused on Haaland running past his teammate to acknowledge the crowd. FitzSimons questioned the lack of immediate gratitude shown to the assist provider, stating, "In what world is it OK to be gifted such a superb pass, score, and not show a scintilla of gratitude to the one who delivered it to you?"
FitzSimons noted that this perceived lack of acknowledgement for teammates who set up goals happens frequently in the tournament, where scorers often prioritize immediate adulation from the crowd. He concluded this behavior would be labeled differently in other sports within Australia, implying it was unsportsmanlike.