Is Ronaldo sending a message to Messi with his new goatee?

Cristiano Ronaldo turned heads when he arrived for Wednesday's match against Morocco with a tuft of hair on his chin - a stark departure from the Portugal captain's typically clean-shaven appearance.

This isn't the first time Ronaldo's jawline has been a talking point at this World Cup. He very conspicuously stroked his chin in celebration after scoring the first of his three goals against Spain in Portugal's opener.

Some observers speculated that the curious gesture was a direct message to rival Lionel Messi, who posed with a baby goat for Paper Magazine a week before the World Cup kicked off, and in doing so staked his claim to G.O.A.T. (greatest of all time) status.

Goats, of course, are known for their hairy chins, so Ronaldo stroking his chin and now literally making himself appear more goat-like has likely removed any lingering doubt that this is all about Messi.

Of course, photo shoots and facial hair won't be the factors that decide the two superstars' long-running battle for all-time supremacy in the sport. Ronaldo and Messi will ultimately be judged by how they perform on the biggest stage and what hardware they deliver to their respective nations.

At this moment, goatee or no goatee, Ronaldo's transcendent play in Russia has given him the clear edge.

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)