Home of football statistics and historyThere are already many talking points developing ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup this summer, but one of the main ones revolves around two of the greatest players ever to play the sport. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo will make their final appearances at the World Cup, and it’s being pitched as a final showdown between the long-term rivals.
The End Of An Era
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, for a long time, were the two best players in the world. The debate has always been around which of the two is better, but the reality is, they’re both legends of the sport, and while they may no longer be at the peak of their powers, they will be remembered for what they did in their respective heydays.
The World Cup in North America will undoubtedly be the final time we see Messi, 38, and Ronaldo, 41, take to the international stage, with both set to captain Argentina and Portugal, respectively. Argentina, the current world champions, start ahead of Portugal to win the tournament according to the latest stats from sports betting site Tooniebet, but Portugal will feel confident about their chances. What the tournament will definitely mark is the end of an era, as Messi and Ronaldo exit stage left.
How Involved Will They Be?
The reality, for both Argentina and Portugal, is that they have players who could start ahead of Messi and Ronaldo at the World Cup. Argentina can call on the likes of Franco Mastantuono and Giuliano Simeone, and Portugal have the likes of Joao Felix and Goncalo Ramos, with these players all vying to start. The question is whether they can have the same impact as Messi and Ronaldo on the pitch.
Messi is in form for Inter Miami in MLS right now, with 12 goals and 5 assists from just 13 outings. While Ronaldo has just secured his first Saudi Pro League title with Al-Nassr, scoring 28 goals and making 3 assists in 30 games. Both are still producing the numbers, but their ages and overall ability to play games in quick succession could come into their managers’ thinking.
How Far Can Argentina and Portugal Go?
Argentina and Portugal are both expected to give good accounts of themselves at the World Cup. As the current world champions, Lionel Scaloni’s side will be out to defend their crown. They’ve been drawn in Group J alongside Algeria, Austria and Jordan, and they should be capable of defeating all three and topping the group, heading into the Round of 32 knockout stage unscathed.
The same can be said about Portugal. They’re one of the strongest nations of the 48 that will compete at the tournament, and they should have no problems making the knockout stages. In Group K, they will face DR Congo, Uzbekistan and Colombia, with the latter likely to be their biggest threat. However, finishing first in the group should be straightforward.
If both sides win their groups as expected, it’s highly likely they could meet in the quarter-finals, where it would be Messi vs Ronaldo at a World Cup for the first and final time.
Conclusion
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are two of the best players ever to play the sport of football. And they will both take to the pitch for the final time at a World Cup this summer. Starring for Argentina and Portugal, both will want to bow out in style, and that could mean going head-to-head en route to the final.
0 Comments