For many years, there has been a fierce rivalry between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, both at club and national team level. Both exceptional players have always strived to prove themselves superior to the other. However, as their careers drew to a close, while Messi continued to make immense contributions to the Argentine national team, Ronaldo gradually became a burden to his teammates in the Portuguese national team. Four years ago, Messi led Argentina to victory in the 2022 World Cup, while Ronaldo and his teammates were eliminated in the quarter-finals. Therefore, the 2026 World Cup became the final tournament where fans worldwide eagerly awaited a showdown between these two greatest strikers in football history.
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| Messi celebrates the goal that put Argentina 3-0 up in their win against Algeria. Photo: AP |
On the morning of June 17th (Vietnam time), Messi scored a brilliant hat-trick, helping Argentina defeat Algeria 3-0. This hat-trick increased his total number of goals in World Cups to 16, equaling the record of German legend Miroslav Klose. This was also the first time in his career that the Argentina captain scored a hat-trick at the biggest football tournament on the planet. Beyond the numbers, his acceleration and sharp curling shots demonstrated the extraordinary class of a player who seems unyielding despite age. Immediately after the match, Brazilian legend Ronaldo Nazario shared with the Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo: "Every time Messi steps onto the pitch, everything becomes historic and artistic. It's time for the world to stop avoiding and accept the truth that he is the greatest player of all time."
After that outstanding performance, football fans awaited a "response" from Cristiano Ronaldo. Few believed he would score another hat-trick like Messi, but at least he should have contributed to a goal for the Portuguese national team. However, he and his teammates delivered a crushing disappointment. The lackluster 1-1 draw against the Democratic Republic of Congo exposed the unbelievable weakness of the team from the Iberian Peninsula. Throughout the 90 minutes, Portugal only managed a mere 7 shots, of which only one was on target – a header by Joao Neves. Since the start of the tournament, the once glamorous Portuguese team is now only ahead of Algeria (0 shots on target) in terms of shots on target. A bitter reality that cannot be excused for a team boasting a host of attacking stars.
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| Ronaldo reacts after his missed chance in Portugal's opening match of the 2026 World Cup, a 1-1 draw against the Democratic Republic of Congo. Photo: AP |
Against that bleak backdrop, the biggest star, Cristiano Ronaldo, endured one of the most forgettable nights of his illustrious international career. Throughout the match, the Portuguese captain only touched the ball 25 times, taking 3 shots, none of which hit the target. He officially extended his goalless streak for the national team to 10 consecutive games. Ronaldo's lackluster performance wasn't just individual, but systemic. In the match against the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Portuguese midfield played slowly, lacked creativity, and completely lost its ability to penetrate the defense. Constantly misplaced sideways passes and mismatched combinations turned Ronaldo into an isolated island in the ocean. How can a striker score without the ball to shoot? This also highlights the stark contrast when Rodrigo De Paul delivered a through pass that set up Messi for the opening goal in the match between Argentina and Algeria. Ronaldo not only lost to Messi in terms of goals scored, but also in his role as a playmaker and in connecting with his teammates.
After Portugal's draw against the Democratic Republic of Congo, which felt like a defeat, football fans joked, "Messi called, but Ronaldo didn't answer." Perhaps by now, no one is debating whether Messi or Ronaldo is the better player. Furthermore, it must be acknowledged that "Messi is the greatest player in the history of world football," as the legend Ronaldo Nazario affirmed.
THANH NGUYEN
Source: https://baokhanhhoa.vn/the-thao/202606/messi-goi-nhung-ronaldo-khong-tra-loi-9fb759a/
