Just when it seemed the debate between Messi and Ronaldo about who is better had been answered when M10 and the Argentine national team lifted the World Cup trophy in 2022, the greatest rivalry in football history continues as both participate in what is considered their final World Cup in 2026.
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| Ronaldo during a training session with the Portuguese national team in preparation for the match against Uzbekistan. Photo: AP |
Messi, who will turn 39 tomorrow (June 24th), is having the most perfect start to the 2026 World Cup. He's playing like he did in his youth, acting as both the team's playmaker and scoring crucial goals. With 5 goals in 2 matches, Messi has just broken the record for most goals in World Cup history (18 goals) and is expected to continue writing the greatest chapters of his career.
Conversely, Ronaldo, at 41, is being seen by the media and some fans as a burden on the Portuguese national team. In fact, after Portugal's 1-1 draw with the Democratic Republic of Congo, a match in which Ronaldo received the most criticism, his teammates were attacked by CR7's "fanatics." They claimed there was a sabotage plot aimed at overthrowing Ronaldo, as many teammates refused to pass the ball to him on the field. Ignoring the criticism and the excessive debate, Ronaldo maintained a relaxed and determined demeanor during training sessions with his teammates, preparing for the match against Uzbekistan on June 24th.
Ronaldo's goal drought for the Portuguese national team is nothing new, as he hasn't scored in his last 10 matches in major tournaments like the Euros and the World Cup. However, if he continues to fail to score against Uzbekistan, the pressure on Ronaldo will increase to unprecedented levels. This would extend his goalless streak in major tournaments, creating an increasingly stark contrast with Messi's explosive form on the Argentinian side. International media will undoubtedly heavily exploit this comparison, viewing it as evidence of the widening gap between Messi and Ronaldo in the twilight of their careers.
On social media, the never-ending debates will only intensify. Messi fans will see this as the final confirmation of a nearly two-decade-long rivalry, while Ronaldo supporters will continue to defend their idol with arguments about his leadership role, influence in the dressing room, and contributions beyond goals. However, the harsh reality of top-level football is that strikers are always judged first and foremost by the number of goals they score.
Most notably, the impact on the Portuguese national team is significant. If Ronaldo continues to start but doesn't deliver results, questions about whether to adjust his role will become increasingly frequent. The coaching staff may face pressure to make decisions based on professional judgment rather than emotion. Teammates will also be in a difficult position, deciding whether to continue prioritizing Ronaldo in attacking plays or choose the optimal options for the team as a whole.
Of course, with the class and composure of one of the greatest players in history, Ronaldo could still change everything in a single moment. But if the goals don't come, the 2026 World Cup risks becoming a nightmare and seriously jeopardizes Ronaldo's goal of continuing to play at the highest level. Let's wait and see how Ronaldo overcomes the biggest challenge of his career!
Video of Messi completing his brace, helping Argentina beat Austria 2-0. Source: VTV
Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/the-thao/worldcup-2026/neu-ronaldo-lai-tit-ngoi-1045674
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