For years, IShowSpeed has treated Cristiano Ronaldo as football's undisputed Greatest Of All Time. Which is why fans were caught off guard when the streamer showed up in an Argentina jersey, explaining that backing Lionel Messi was actually his way of trying to help the Portuguese icon.

Appearing on stream wearing an Argentina jersey for the much-anticipated Quarter Final match between Argentina and Switzerland, IShowSpeed explained that he had come to believe every team he publicly supports ends up losing. Rather than risk bringing bad luck to Messi's biggest rivals, he jokingly decided to back the reigning world champions instead.

The streamer admitted he had reached the conclusion after noticing a pattern throughout the tournament, leading him to embrace what fans have dubbed his "curse." His lighthearted confession quickly sparked reactions online, with viewers amused by the idea that supporting Argentina might actually improve Messi's chances of lifting another World Cup trophy.

Although Speed's football loyalties have long been associated with Ronaldo, his latest decision, documented through a livestream saved by IShowSpeed HQ on X, was clearly made with humor in mind. The playful change of heart added another memorable moment to his World Cup coverage, which has become a fan favorite throughout the tournament.

While Speed may have temporarily swapped Portugal's colors for Argentina's, one recent gesture from Ronaldo made it clear the bond between the two remains as strong as ever.

Cristiano Ronaldo surprised IShowSpeed with a special World Cup gift

Earlier this week, Cristiano Ronaldo gifted IShowSpeed a pair of the boots he wore during his 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign. The streamer unboxed the surprise live on air while watching the quarterfinal between Spain and Belgium, leaving him visibly excited by the unexpected present.

The boots were Nike's limited-edition Mercurial Superfly 11 CR7 Gold Scorpion, a special release created to celebrate Ronaldo becoming the first footballer to score in six different FIFA World Cups. The gift marked another memorable moment in the long-running friendship between the five-time Ballon d'Or winner and one of his most famous supporters.

Although Portugal's World Cup journey ended with a 1-0 defeat to Spain in the Round of 16, Ronaldo's thoughtful gift ensured Speed still had a personal keepsake from the tournament. It also served as a reminder that, regardless of which jersey he chooses to wear during the competition, his admiration for the Portuguese legend has never really changed.

If you believed your support could change a team's fortunes, which side would you choose to back? Let us know in the comments!

Written by

Aarav Poonia

Edited by

Adiba Nizami