Inter Miami and Palmeiras will face off Monday in a decisive Group A clash at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025. While Lionel Messi prepares to lead the Herons in their bid to reach the round of 16, a player from the opposing side has spoken about his admiration for Cristiano Ronaldo—and made an unusual promise.
Murilo, a Palmeiras defender, spoke at a press conference ahead of the match against Inter Miami and gave a clear answer when asked to pick between Messi and Ronaldo. “I’m Team CR7,” he said, according to TyC Sports.
Expanding on what he admires most about Cristiano, the Brazilian was direct. “I think he’s very complete. I think his ego is also something good, something positive,” he said. “His main strength is discipline. I see myself in that a lot—in his discipline, his whole routine. Without a doubt, that’s his differential and I like that a lot.”
Murilo was then asked whether, if he scores against Inter Miami on Monday, he would be willing to copy Cristiano Ronaldo’s signature goal celebration—the one where he jumps and lands with his arms spread while shouting “SIUUU.” The 28-year-old’s answer was emphatic: “Yes, yes, I’ll do it. Yes.”
Murilo of Palmeiras passes the ball during a match vs Juventude at Allianz Parque on June 23, 2024.
Who is Murilo?
Murilo Cerqueira Paim was born in 1997 in Brazil and began his professional career at age 19 with Cruzeiro. He impressed over two seasons before transferring to Lokomotiv Moscow in Russia, where he played until 2022. Since then, he has been with Palmeiras, tallying 104 appearances, 16 goals, and 7 titles.
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At the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, Murilo has played in both of Palmeiras’ Group A matches—a draw against Porto and a win over Al Ahly. He started and played the full 90 minutes in both games, without recording a goal, assist, or card. Monday will mark the first time in his career that he faces Lionel Messi.
Other Palmeiras players picked Messi
The same Messi vs. Ronaldo question was posed to several of Murilo’s teammates. Left-back Vanderlan gave a very different answer: “Since I was a kid, I’ve always watched him play. I’ve always liked him a lot, so I’m on Team Messi.”
However, the 22-year-old made it clear that his admiration won’t impact how he approaches the match. “I’ll hide the fact that I’m Team Messi,” he explained. “On the field, there’s no such thing… He’s against us, he’ll be Palmeiras’ rival.”
Vanderlan will face the tough task of marking Messi, as the Argentine forward, while free to roam the pitch, often operates on the right side of the attack—directly across from the left-back. On that, Vanderlan said: “Messi is very hard to mark, but our team’s collective and individual effort will make the difference.”
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