Alejandro Garnacho was at the centre of a fake story involving Lionel Messi on social media (Shutterstock)

Alejandro Garnacho’s brother has denied claims that Lionel Messi unfollowed the Manchester United winger on Instagram.

Speaking on his Vibe With Five show on Monday, Rio Ferdinand joked that Messi took action against his Argentina teammate on Instagram because the 19-year-old supposedly favours Cristiano Ronaldo.

‘My lad said to me Messi’s unfollowed him [Garnacho], he’s said Messi’s unfollowed him!’ Ferdinand said.

‘Because he comes out, doesn’t care, [and says] ‘I’m a Ronaldo man. Who’s the GOAT? Ronaldo’. When he’s in the Argentina squad.’

The clip of Ferdinand’s offhand comment during the show went viral on social media, while certain news websites even misquoted the former United defender to make it appear that Garnacho had made the claim himself.

However, in a direct response to the video, Roberto Garnacho denied that his brother was ever followed by Messi on Instagram.

‘Fake, Messi never followed him, stop making stuff up just to create hate, Garna loves and admires both of them and you all trying to creating a rivalry,’ Roberto Garnacho wrote on X.

‘I’ve even seen videos of Messi showing the World Cup to Garna, mate if u knew how we celebrated it at home.’

Roberto Garnacho added: ‘Wow, This isn’t even targeted to Rio specifically it was just the incorrect info on Garna’s name about this from many people in general, wanted to just make it clear!’

Ferdinand replied to Roberto Garnacho with the message: ‘Was sarcasm bro…’

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‘Stop making stuff up just to create hate.’