Alejandro Garnacho's brother accuses Rio Ferdinand of 'making stuff up to create HATE' after claiming Lionel Messi unfollowed the winger due to his admiration of Cristiano Ronaldo - as he insists the Ballon d'Or winner was never a follower

Rio Ferdinand has been slammed by Alejandro Garnacho's brother after he claimed Lionel Messi unfollowed the winger because of his open admiration of the Argentine's great rival Cristiano Ronaldo.

Garnacho hit the headlines when he netted one of the best goals in Premier League history with a sensational overhead kick during Man United's 3-0 win over Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday.

After firing his acrobatic effort past Jordan Pickford, the 19-year-old starlet performed Ronaldo's trademark 'SIU' celebration as he wheeled away towards the corner flag.

Garnacho has long been a fan of the Portuguese superstar, publicly admitting he is his idol, while the pair briefly played together during Ronaldo's ill-fated return to Old Trafford.

However, Garnacho's brother, Alejandro, hit out at Ferdinand's claims that his adulation of Ronaldo meant Messi - who is his team-mate at international level - unfollowed him on Instagram.

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, he said: 'Fake, Messi never followed him.

'Stop making stuff up just to create hate, garna (Alejandro Garnacho) loves and admires both of them and you all trying to create a rivalry.'

Speaking earlier this week about Garnacho on his podcast Vibe with Five, Ferdinand had said: 'You know what I like about him? He doesn't give a f***. 

'Garnacho told me that Messi unfollowed him just because he makes no secret of preferring Ronaldo.

'He comes out, don't care, "I'm a Ronaldo man". Who's the GOAT? Ronaldo. (Even) when he's in the Argentina squad.'

Ferdinand subsequently back-tracked when responding to Roberto's post as he said: 'Was sarcasm bro...'

Garnacho's uniqueness in the situation must be appreciated, with the 19-year-old - who was born in Madrid but declared for Argentina - winning three caps for La Albiceleste since his debut in June. 

However, as mentioned he was also a team-mate of Ronaldo's and has regularly copied his celebrations after scoring in games.  

Garnacho's next assignment will see him and his United team-mates come up against Galatasaray on Wednesday night in what is almost a must-win clash.