A new study indicates that an individual's preference between soccer stars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo could potentially reveal their political ideology. Scientists from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore surveyed over 10,000 individuals across 26 countries to explore this connection.
The findings suggest that people who favor Messi tend to align with more liberal political views, while those who prefer Ronaldo are more likely to identify as conservative. Dr. Saifuddin Ahmed, who led the study, explained that the distinct public personas of the athletes may play a role. Messi is often associated with a more reserved, team-oriented image, whereas Ronaldo is known for openly expressing ambition and celebrating individual achievements. "People may be more drawn to the player whose public image aligns with their broader values," Ahmed stated.
The survey, which included 10,661 participants, also found that this correlation between player preference and political leaning was strongest among younger individuals and diminished significantly in older adults. The study also identified potential links between player preference and self-esteem levels, as well as media consumption habits.
Respondents who reported obtaining more of their news from platforms like TikTok and Instagram showed a tendency to favor Ronaldo. Researchers hypothesize this could be connected to Ronaldo's strong presence on these social media sites, where his carefully managed public image is frequently encountered by users. Additionally, participants who reported higher self-esteem were more likely to favor Ronaldo. Dr. Ahmed suggested that individuals with higher self-esteem might gravitate towards public figures who embody excellence and confidence, qualities they may perceive in themselves.
The researchers intend to conduct further studies to explore these observed associations in more detail.