Sports · Other Sports · 52 mins ago
Research links political views with preferences for Messi and Ronaldo
Researchers found links between political views and football preferences in a survey of more than 10,000 people across 26 countries.
People who were more liberal than their country’s average were more likely to prefer Lionel Messi, while those more approving of authoritarian rule were more likely to prefer Cristiano Ronaldo.
The study also found that people who watched more short-form video news were likelier to prefer Ronaldo.
These findings show an association, but the research does not explain why the preferences differ.
The issue has gained attention as sport and politics increasingly overlap, including through the close ties between UFC chief executive Dana White and US President Donald Trump.
Trump recently suggested White could become his press secretary and that UFC fighters could help defend his political movement, but he later withdrew the idea.
A survey of more than 10,000 people in 26 countries found that people more liberal than their national average were significantly more likely to prefer Lionel Messi.
The researchers also found that people with greater approval of authoritarian leadership were more likely to prefer Cristiano Ronaldo.
Higher consumption of short-form video news was also associated with a greater likelihood of preferring Ronaldo.
The survey found no significant link between preferences and age, gender, education, social class or interest in politics.
- Who
- Academics in Singapore surveyed more than 10,000 people in 26 countries.
- What
- The study examined whether political views were associated with preferences for Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo.
- When
- The survey was conducted months before Ronaldo visited the White House last year.
- Where
- The survey covered 26 countries. The researchers were based in Singapore.
- Why
- The researchers examined whether political views and other factors predicted which player people preferred.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Academics in Singapore surveyed more than 10,000 people in 26 countries about whether they preferred Messi or Ronaldo.
Donald Trump proposed that UFC chief executive Dana White become his White House press secretary and suggested six fighters join him.
Trump had backtracked on the proposal.
- Survey size
- More than 10,000 people
- Countries surveyed
- 26
- Liberal views
- Respondents more liberal than their national mean were significantly more likely to prefer Messi
- Authoritarian approval
- Respondents with higher approval of authoritarianism preferred Ronaldo
- Short-form video news
- Higher consumption was associated with a significantly greater likelihood of preferring Ronaldo
What people are saying
those “who were more liberal than the national mean were significantly more likely to prefer Messi
those who had a higher approval for authoritarianism preferred Ronaldo