Probably it will be the final time that Lionel Messi, who is almost 39 years old and Cristiano Ronaldo who are almost 41 years old will have the chance to play blockbuster football on the biggest football field in the globe since the World Cup of football is close at hand, which will be hosted in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
Messi and Ronaldo at the World Cup
The two players have already established themselves in history by playing five World Cups each, something that not many can boast of. This monumental breakthrough is creating a massive buzz, and GGBet is leading in order to accept fans willing to experience every minute of this international football event. Look through the quick facts about these footballers:
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The two players are part of a very exclusive club of only six footballers who have played in five World Cups.
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Messi has the highest number of World Cup appearances ever, with 26 matches, and second with 22 is Ronaldo.
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They both scored four goals at the Club World Cup finals, the most goals in the history of the tournament.
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They have played in every World Cup since 2006 (with their national teams).
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As the World Cup increases its number of teams (48), eight matches are possible for any player whose team made it to the final.
Cristiano Ronaldo and His World Cups
The history of World Cups demonstrates the exceptional combination of prolonged duration and the changing role of tactical duties in the national team of Portugal, as played by Ronaldo. His personal flashes of individual brilliance within structural constraints in 2006, which made him look like a promising winger, and in 2022, a symbolic figure, have blemished his story of the World Cup.
2006
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Matches: 6
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Goals: 1
At the World Cup, Ronaldo left his mark by scoring a penalty against Iran and also helped Portugal in a dramatic penalty shoot-out win in the quarter-final against England. Portugal lost to France in the semi-final of the campaign, but the fourth place was the highest result of the country at the World Cup.
2010
- Matches: 4
- Goals: 1
In 2010, he was the captain of the Portuguese team, but the defensive style of the team gave him minimal opportunities to score. Although his playing style was obvious on the field, the playing tactics were not to his advantage, and Portugal eventually lost to Spain in the Round of 16.
2014
- Matches: 3
- Goals: 1
Being the Ballon d’Or laureate, Ronaldo was not an easy target since he had injuries, which had affected his movement and performance. Portugal received a massive loss of 4 goals to 0 to Germany. Ronaldo was absent in the initial two games and scored a goal on his third consecutive appearance in the World Cup, and although it was a late call, it created hope, but Portugal was out of the World Cup despite the goal.
2018
- Matches: 4
- Goals: 4
This tournament highlighted Ronaldo’s individual dominance. It was the peak of his World Cup career. He has registered a classic hat trick with Spain and the match-winning goal with Morocco. On its way, Portugal was defeated by Uruguay during the round of 16. It was the most productive Ronaldo World Cup in terms of statistics.
2022
- Matches: 5
- Goals: 1
In Qatar, Portugal made it to the quarter-finals – their best World Cup showing since 2006, but the average of goals that found the feet of the Portuguese came out to be low, with only one goal achieved by the captain, and that occurred after many years of football. Portugal were brushed aside by Morocco 1-0, amid the criticism of coach Roberto Martinez's reliance on veteran players, including that of Ronaldo.
Lionel Messi and His World Cups
The World Cup career is a pointer that there has been a gradual change of a future star into a creative and tactical center of the national football team of football in Argentina. Unlike the fluctuating popularity of Ronaldo, Messi gradually became the central character in the strategy and performance of Argentina.
2006
- Matches: 3
- Goals: 1
At the age of 18, Messi had not yet established himself as a young talent. His initial World Cup performances were modest. However, when he scored against Serbia and Montenegro, he made history as one of the youngest players to score a goal in the World Cup. Argentina lost their run in the quarter-finals, where they lost to Germany in a penalty shoot-out.
2010
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Matches: 5
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Goals: 0
By 2010, Messi was already a world star and the creative figure of Argentina under the coach Diego Maradona. Nevertheless, his playmaking power failed as Argentina were beaten by Germany in the quarter-finals by a big margin, mostly because of a serious defensive lapse.
2014
- Matches: 7
- Goals: 4
The 2014 World Cup was the first actual breakthrough of Messi at an international level. It is he who scored the major goals of Argentina and took them to the final, where they lost to Germany. However, among the defeated players, Messi was named the best player of the tournament and was the holder of the Golden Ball.
2018
- Matches: 4
- Goals: 1
It was a period of both intermediacy and storminess for Messi and Argentina. Messi scored against Nigeria to advance but was limited in the knockout loss to France. Tactical and team issues constrained his impact.
2022
- Matches: 7
- Goals: 7
The matches in Qatar became the highlight of Messi's World Cup career. At the age of 35, he scored in all knockout matches, and he made Argentina win the final in an epic manner over France. Winning the trophy was what brought him his first World Cup title and completed his international success.