Paraguayan barber Iran Recalde, 24, has sparked controversy in recent hours by declaring in a live stream with Tomás Mazza that he is not a fan of Lionel Messi, admires Cristiano Ronaldo, and dreams of cutting his hair. During his participation in the stream, the barber was firm in stating his position: "I am not a fan of Lionel Messi, I am a fan of Cristiano... I am not Argentine." In his top four, he placed Cristiano Ronaldo first, followed by Pelé, then Lionel Messi, and finally Diego Armando Maradona. The chosen order raised questions and criticism, especially for relegate Messi and Maradona to secondary positions in a discussion that is always sensitive. Social media quickly amplified the clip of the stream. The phrase, said bluntly, acted as a trigger for an immediate controversy, especially in Argentina, where Messi is an undisputed figure and any criticism or distancing usually generates intense reactions. Recalde became known on the TikTok platform thanks to his detailed and creative haircuts, with a meticulous style that allowed him to build a community of followers and position himself as one of the most prominent young barbers on social media. However, this time his name was not associated with scissors or aesthetics, but with a series of football-related definitions that did not go unnoticed. Far from staying only on that statement, Recalde deepened his vision by creating a personal ranking of the best footballers in history. Ironic comments, football-related questions, and crossed debates dominated the conversation, while other users pointed out that it is a personal opinion, although with a clear provocative tone. The episode once again reflects how football, even off the field, continues to be a topic capable of igniting passions and controversies. In the case of Iran Recalde, a few phrases were enough to put him on the digital agenda, although the debate now revolves less around his haircuts and more about his view of football and his idols. In this context, many interpreted that the statements were part of a conscious strategy to gain visibility beyond his work as a barber. Recalde, who charges around 70,000 pesos for a haircut, built his popularity by showing technique, precision, and creativity in each job.
