Ahead of the crucial Club World Cup 2025 Group A showdown between Palmeiras and Inter Miami, the pre-match tension has heated up—not just between teams, but also among their star players and fans.
Palmeiras defender Murilo recently stirred excitement when he publicly declared he would celebrate in Cristiano Ronaldo’s iconic style if he scores against Inter Miami and Lionel Messi. “If I score against Inter Miami, I’ll probably celebrate like Ronaldo. I’m a big fan of Cristiano—he’s an incredibly complete player,” Murilo stated. “What sets Ronaldo apart for me is his discipline. I really admire that, as well as how he keeps himself in peak physical condition. No doubt, I’m a huge admirer.”
Murilo, who joined Palmeiras in 2022, also noted that he has no plans to swap shirts with Messi after the match. “I won’t try to swap shirts with Messi. I know many players would want to do that, but my job is to keep him quiet and help Palmeiras win tomorrow.”
The comments quickly caught the attention of Cristiano Ronaldo himself, who responded with humility and encouragement: “It’s always a pleasure to see young players inspired by my journey and my work ethic. Football is about passion, respect, and healthy competition. I wish Murilo and all the players good luck for the match. No matter how you celebrate, always give your best and inspire others to dream big.”
On the other side, Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano expressed caution about facing Palmeiras, praising the Brazilian side’s competitiveness and reminding his team not to underestimate their opponents.
As the world awaits the clash between Messi’s Inter Miami and Palmeiras, all eyes will be on Murilo—not just to see if he can score, but to witness if Ronaldo’s legendary “Siu” celebration will light up the World Cup stage once again.
