One of the major storylines heading into the 2026 FIFA World Cup na di likely final appearances of superstars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Messi, wey go be 39, and Ronaldo, wey go be 41, get one final opportunity to settle di GOAT debate surrounding di two longtime rivals once and for all.
Di Argentine international seemingly settle that debate by lifting di Jules Rimet Trophy for Qatar in 2022. Argentina finally deliver after coming painfully close in 2014. Messi capture di tournament MVP after im up-and-coming South American side finish second to Germany for an agonizing final.
Meanwhile, Ronaldo neva even come close to winning. Di team best showing na precisely in 2022, when di Portuguese side fall to Morocco for di quarterfinals. That something wey fit change at di 2026 FIFA World Cup. A win by Ronaldo go even di slate at one title apiece, and fit lead to an endless debate about who dis generation true GOAT be.
That debate fit end with a resounding verdict if Messi and Argentina go back-to-back in 2026. As notable French football journalist Julien Laurens note for a recent interview, Messi claiming im second trophy at di 2026 FIFA World Cup go end di debate once and for all. Laurens say, “If he (Lionel Messi) goes back-to-back, then I think this settles any kind of debate you want to have on, on GOAT…” That na bold statement, but one wey certainly resonate with fans and pundits.
One of di points wey Laurens make focus on how Messi dey for better situation to thrive than Ronaldo. That situation get to do specifically with di team wey di Inter Miami star go play for. Laurens tok, “I think again, even at 39 now, he walks MLS every, every week, he still, over… eight games… for what he will have to do, he can still do it, more than a Cristiano Ronaldo for me, for example, in, in, in the Argentine setup.”
Indeed, di Argentine setup for di 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Messi playing for more of a midfield role, go take much of di pressure off. For comparison, Portugal continue to rely on Ronaldo being a striker, placing even more pressure on am to score. While both stars remain for remarkable shape for dia age, one get to wonder just how much dem fit hold up for di duration of di tourney.
While there no indication say either Messi or Ronaldo no go take part for di 2023 edition, di 2026 FIFA World Cup na likely di final rodeo for both stars. As such, seeing Ronaldo take home di trophy for dis year edition go be a fitting way to send off one of di game biggest stars. Di road to di final no go easy by any means. Portugal go get to pass DR Congo, Uzbekistan, and Colombia for di group stage.
Meanwhile, Messi and Argentina go face Algeria, Austria, and Jordan for dia respective group stage matches. Di schedule fit make am easier for both sides to comot from di group stage and enter di knockout round. So, there na path there for both international superstars to take home di glory before everything don done.
