Why soccer fans are sliding into Olivia Rodrigo's Instagram comments

Two weeks ago, Olivia Rodrigo posted photos to Instagram of herself at Lollapalooza in Chicago, where she joined the Smashing Pumpkins for a surprise performance of "Thirty-Three."

In one shot, she appeared to be backstage holding a cup of tea. In the other, she was onstage alongside frontman Billy Corgan.

"Olivia + Smashing Pumpkins was the crossover I never knew I needed," one fan wrote in the comments section.

"My favorite band and my favorite modern pop artist in one," wrote another.

But the comments about the unlikely collaboration were soon infiltrated by fans of FC Barcelona, which earlier this week announced the signing of Rodri, a Spanish midfielder and winner of the 2026 World Cup Golden Ball as the best player in this year's final.

"Welcome to Barça Rodri 💙♥️" one commenter wrote.

"I know you are not Rodri, but welcome to Barca anyways," wrote another.

So why are Barça fans using Rodrigo's Instagram account to welcome Rodri (full name: Rodrigo Hernández Cascante) to the team?

There are a few reasons. Rodri, who most recently played for Manchester City, doesn't have a public Instagram account, which was evident in 2024, when he won the Ballon d'Or for best soccer player.

Real Madrid fans who were upset that Rodri won the award — and not Vinícius Júnior — also flooded Rodrigo's Instagram account, saying he was undeserving of the annual honor. (As Marca reports , Argentine soccer player Rodrigo De Paul was also sent comments intended for his similarly named peer.)

Real Madrid fans are abusing Olivia Rodrigo on Instagram thinking that she is Rodri 😭 pic.twitter.com/aKcrPwbM0Y — Footy Humour (@FootyHumour) October 29, 2024

Real Madrid fans are abusing Olivia Rodrigo on Instagram thinking that she is Rodri 😭 pic.twitter.com/aKcrPwbM0Y

— Footy Humour (@FootyHumour) October 29, 2024

Some commenters say the new round of Barça-related comments has less to do with mistaken identity and more about riffing on the 2024 Real Madrid hijinks.

While she's not, in fact, Rodri, Rodrigo does have ties to FC Barcelona.

Culers, Olivia Rodrigo has a message for you! 💬 @spotify @oliviarodrigo 🩷 pic.twitter.com/WFrqUG8ppB — FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) May 10, 2026

Culers, Olivia Rodrigo has a message for you! 💬 @spotify @oliviarodrigo 🩷 pic.twitter.com/WFrqUG8ppB

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) May 10, 2026

The club released a special limited-edition jersey with Rodrigo's initials last season as part of a sponsorship with Spotify.

And earlier this year, she wished Barcelona luck ahead of its rival match, El Clásico, against Real Madrid — which Rodrigo attended .