Fans notice Lionel Messi unfollowing Taylor Swift’s ex Joe Alwyn on Instagram after Tortured Poets Department album release

Eight-time Balon d'Or winner Lionel Messi has sent social media into a frenzy by unfollowing Taylor Swift's ex-boyfriend Joe Alwyn on Instagram. The Argentine maestro's social media activity comes after Swift accused her London-based ex-lover of cheating in her new album The Tortured Poets Department.

Lionel Messi's Instagram activity was noticed by keen fans on social media, with a user on X posting:

"After the release of THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT, Lionel Messi has unfollowed Joe Alwyn on Instagram."

The post quickly went viral, garnering over 40,000 likes and 3,600 retweets. Many fans were delighted to see the World Cup winner supporting the pop star, with one commenting:

"two goats coming together."

Another comment read:

"The GOAT btw, always on the right side."

Lionel Messi is not the only celebrity to unfollow Alwyn after Taylor Swift's accusations in her latest album. Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively have also unfollowed the actor.

Taylor released a few songs interpreted by fans as her calling out Alwyn, with the track Down Bad particularly noted. In that song, the pop star referenced someone leaving her stranded in their shared north London home, singing:

"Did you take all my old clothes just to leave me here naked and alone / In a field in my same old town that somehow seems so hollow now / How dare you think it's romantic / Leaving me safe and stranded."

In another song, The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived, Taylor Swift sang:

"And you'll confess why you did it / And I'll say good riddance / Cos it wasn't sexy once it wasn't forbidden / You didn't measure up in any measure of a man / I would have died for your sins but instead I just died inside / You deserve prison, but you won't get time / You will slide into inboxes and slip through the bars."

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Taylor Swift fan Lionel Messi bags brace and assist against Nashville

Argentine maestro Lionel Messi marked the release of American pop star Taylor Swift's new album The Tortured Poets Department with a brace and an assist against Nashville SC in the MLS. The Inter Miami star continued his impressive start to the season and put his opponents to the sword to win all three points for Miami.

The Herons scored all the goals in their 3-1 victory. Nashville took the lead in the second minute with a Franco Negri own goal, with Messi drawing the hosts level in the 11th minute.

He then set up Sergio Busquets in the 39th minute to give his side the lead before the wrapping up the win with an 89th-minute penalty. With this, Messi has taken his tally to seven goals and three assists in six MLS appearances. He also has two goals and assists each in three CONCACAF Champions Cup games.

Inter Miami are currently top of the Eastern Conference with 18 points from 10 games.