Next summer's FIFA World Cup will almost certainly represent the last dance for two of the greatest players to have ever laced up a pair of boots: Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. The two icons will venture onto the grandest stage for the sixth and final time in North America next summer, and both will be hoping to bow out from the beautiful game in the place they have found themselves for almost the entirety of their respective careers: on top.
Qatar’s Coronation
The most recent installment of the event in Qatar was iconic for both men. CR7 became the first, and to date only, man to score in five separate World Cups. Messi's exploits, however, transported him to another stratosphere. At the age of 35, the little magician rolled back the years as he led his beloved Albiceleste to the famous gold trophy for the first time since the days of Diego Maradona, winning the Player of the Tournament award in the process.
Since that incredible tournament in the Arabian Gulf, both men are now four years older and certainly a little more grizzled. However, online sports betting sites still think that both have a very real chance of leaving MetLife Stadium next July with a medal. The latest online sports betting at Bovada odds currently make Messi's Argentina an 8/1 contender to successfully defend their trophy, with Ronaldo's Portugal just behind at 12/1.
So with both poised for an unprecedented sixth installment of their World Cup stories, debate, nostalgia, and speculation have been ignited in equal measure. What do both global superstars have to offer in the last act of a golden era?
Messi’s Magic Remains in Tact
Lionel Messi’s odyssey with Argentina remains ongoing, even though he will be a ripe old 39 by the time next summer's World Cup concludes in mid-July. Fresh off the fulfillment of a lifelong dream and its subsequent coronation of Messi as the greatest of all time in Qatar, the mood in Buenos Aires and beyond is electric.
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Argentina breezed through qualification, topping the South American confederation at a canter. The Albiceleste beat rivals Brazil home and away, with a famous 4-1 drubbing in Buenos Aires. Now, the bookies consider Messi and Co. a strong contender to become the first team since Selecao way back in 1962 to successfully retain the trophy.
Even approaching 39, Messi’s influence remains undiminished. He bagged eight goals in qualifying, the most of anybody in South America. Now in a deeper, more creative role, as opposed to the marauding dribbler from years gone by, Messi has evolved into somewhat of a playmaking metronome, averaging over 80 passes per match and creating opportunities left, right, and center for strikers Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez.
The team itself is a cohesive juggernaut, with Cristian Romero and others vocal about their devotion to Messi’s cause. Social and mainstream media reflect an almost fanatical support—fans referring to themselves as a “cult,” willing to go to any lengths for their captain. Yet, under the fervor lies real analysis.
Argentina’s defensive solidity—conceding just 8 goals in 14 qualifiers—and a midfield brimming with technical excellence, thanks to the likes of Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister and Enzo Fernández, form the backbone of their campaign. The question looming over the nation is simple but dramatic: can Messi defy age and expectation to secure back-to-back glory? It would take a brave punter to bet against him having one last epic hurrah.
Ronaldo’s Last Chance
For over 15 years, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi were neck and neck in the race to be the greatest of all time, with opinions changing depending on who you asked. However, the latter's success in Qatar altered that narrative, perhaps definitively. Only the most loyal of CR7 supporters consider him the better of the two, with the vast majority crowning the mercurial Argentine as the GOAT, ahead of his great rival, as well as the likes of Pelé and Diego Maradona.
The consensus is that no matter what Ronny does from here on out, he will always be considered second to Messi. Of course, that is by no means a disgraceful place to be, but Ronaldo himself will tell you that he sees himself as second to no one. The only way he can ensure that football supporters and indeed the history books share that sentiment is by claiming a World Cup of his own, Portugal's first ever.
At 41, most professional footballers have long retired, but Ronaldo—football’s ultimate record-chaser—continues to defy father time and rewrite history. Just this month, he shattered the record for most goals in European qualifying tournaments after a brilliant brace in a 2-2 draw against Hungary in Lisbon. He already holds the record for most goals ever scored as he fast approaches 1000 career net busters. But don't think that the great man has now been reduced to just numbers.
This summer, Ronaldo rolled back the years as he led Portugal to a second UEFA Nations League crown. He first saw his side past hosts Germany in the semifinals, before rallying as a huge underdog to defeat reigning European Champions Spain in the final, eventually triumphing on penalties. If his side is to win a maiden World Cup next summer, they will have to do so as outsiders again.
Portugal’s supporters oscillate between starry-eyed hope and clear-eyed assessment. With the steady brilliance of Bruno Fernandes, as well as a staunch backline anchored by Ruben Dias, the Portuguese squad is deep, disciplined, and more tactically versatile than in previous iterations. Ronaldo remains captain and talisman, and he will have to defy his 41 years and continually find the back of the net if his side is to have any hope of emerging with the crown.