Whether you're Team Messi or Team Ronaldo may reveal more than just your football preferences.

New research from NTU Singapore suggests that political ideology, self-esteem and even where people get their news are associated with which of the two football icons they favour.

Beyond the rivalry, the findings raise a broader question: are our cultural tastes really as personal as we think or are they quietly shaped by our identities and the media we consume?

Lynlee Foo speaks to Associate Professor Saifuddin Ahmed from NTU's Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information about what our favourite footballer might reveal about us and what this says about the hidden forces shaping our everyday preferences.