Jake Paul, the influencer-turned-boxer, stirred up controversy this week with a TikTok video that left fans divided. Paul, who boasts 18.7 million followers on the platform, posted a clip wearing Lionel Messi's jersey while performing Cristiano Ronaldo's signature celebration.
The video, aimed at promoting Celsius energy drink, showed Paul knocking down three cans on a goalpost. But it wasn't the product placement that caught viewers' attention. The mismatched combination of Messi's jersey and Ronaldo's celebration sparked a flood of reactions from football fans.
Cristiano's supporters were particularly vocal in their criticism. One fan commented, "New Ronaldo with Messi's jersey," while another went as far as to say, "Not even Judas went that far." Some viewers questioned the authenticity of the video, with remarks like "Who the hell is pulling the cans?" and "Bluetooth connection."
This isn't the first time the Paul family has ruffled feathers in the football world. Jake's brother, Logan, recently found himself in a legal tussle with Messi's team over beverage brands. Logan accused Messi's camp of copying product design, which led to a lawsuit for unfair competition.
The situation escalated when Logan challenged Messi to a boxing match. Messi's bodyguard, Yassine Cheuko, responded by saying Leo didn't even know who Logan was. Undeterred, Logan stated he'd only fight if Yassine agreed to drink Prime after losing.
Jake and Logan Paul have made a name for themselves by courting controversy. Their knack for provocation keeps them at the center of digital conversations, even when it means playing with fire in the world of sports rivalries.
While fans continue to debate the appropriateness of Jake's latest stunt, Messi remains focused on his career, seemingly unfazed by the noise surrounding him. As for Jake Paul, he's once again demonstrated his uncanny ability to stay in the spotlight, for better or worse.
