UFC icon Conor McGregor has faced a backlash from fans after revealing his massive bet on Cristiano Ronaldo to win the Golden Boot at Euro 2024, reported by GOAL. The Irish fighter placed a $60,000 (£51,000) wager, hoping his friend Ronaldo would emerge as the tournament’s top scorer.

Conor McGregor took to social media to announce his hefty bet on Cristiano Ronaldo, banking on the Portuguese superstar to dominate the Euro 2024 scoring charts. This high-stakes wager has put McGregor in the spotlight, especially given the close friendship he shares with Ronaldo. The two were recently seen together watching Anthony Joshua's fight against Otto Wallin and comparing watches in Saudi Arabia.

Fans' Reactions

However, McGregor's confidence in Ronaldo has not been shared by fans, especially after Ronaldo's underwhelming performance in Portugal's 2-1 victory over Czechia. Fans were quick to criticize McGregor for what they saw as a reckless gamble.

Social media erupted with fans mocking McGregor's decision. One fan, Addiynwa, remarked on X (formerly Twitter), “That’s like throwing money in the toilet.” Another user, artfrazer, quipped, “You can say SIUUU later to that money,” playing on Ronaldo's famous goal celebration. Paudwardle19 chimed in, “What a waste of money! Won't get anywhere near top goalscorer.”

Some fans offered McGregor advice, urging him to reconsider his bet. User Pauloo1021 suggested, “Cash out, brotha, you can still get some of your money back.” Buddy_Pipps simply stated, “Should have gone with Bellingham,” referring to the England star who has been in fine form.

Ronaldo’s lackluster showing against Czechia didn’t help McGregor’s cause. The 39-year-old forward failed to score, missing a couple of good chances. Instead, it was 21-year-old substitute Francisco Conceicao who stole the spotlight, scoring in stoppage time to secure the win for Portugal. Ronaldo’s inability to find the net has cast doubt on McGregor’s bet, fueling further criticism from fans.

Despite the criticism, Ronaldo's participation in Euro 2024 is historic. He has become the only player to compete in six different European Championship finals, having played in every edition since 2004. This longevity and experience are part of what McGregor was banking on when he placed his bet.

What’s next for Portugal and Ronaldo

Portugal's next challenge at Euro 2024 is against Turkey, a team that impressed with a thrilling win over Georgia. Ronaldo will need to step up his game if he hopes to fulfill McGregor’s Golden Boot expectations. Portugal’s campaign will rely heavily on their star player's ability to deliver in crucial moments.

As Portugal gears up for their next match, Conor McGregor will be anxiously hoping for a turnaround in Ronaldo's form. A few goals from Ronaldo could reignite McGregor’s hopes of a big payday. Until then, the UFC star remains the subject of social media scrutiny, with fans eager to see how his bet pans out.

Conor McGregor's substantial bet on Cristiano Ronaldo has drawn significant criticism from fans, especially after Ronaldo’s slow start at Euro 2024. The backlash highlights the unpredictable nature of sports betting and the intense scrutiny that public figures like McGregor face. As Portugal prepares for their next match against Turkey, all eyes will be on Ronaldo to see if he can vindicate McGregor’s bold wager and prove his doubters wrong.