One soccer topic wey dey always spark hot gist na di rivalry between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Former USMNT center-back Alexi Lalas don add another layer to di matter, saying one legend story no fit stand without di odda.
“You fit boo as you want. But no Messi without Ronaldo,” Lalas tok for Fox Sports FIFA World Cup broadcast. “Heroes need villains. Sometimes you need foil, my friend. Di two players don represent di World Cup well.”
Lalas talk say when dem do montage for future World Cups, dem go include Messi and Ronaldo. “Because you see dem, you tink World Cup. You tink greatness. Di World Cup lift you up even if you already famous.”
Di core sentiment be say di two players serve as essential competitive foils wey push each odda to unprecedented heights. Since dem start dia professional career over two decades ago, dem don push each odda to historic levels.
Messi and Ronaldo share most years as direct rivals from 2009 to 2018, when dem play for Barcelona and Real Madrid. Since dat time, any offensive stat wey come up, fans dey draw parallels between dem.
For overall stats, e go neck to neck. Messi get 1,332 career goal contributions, while Ronaldo get 1,237. For European Golden Shoes, Messi don win am six times, Ronaldo win four times. But for Ballon d'Or, Messi clear out wit eight triumphs, Ronaldo get five.
For FIFA World Cup success, Messi edge out again, winning im first trophy in 2022. Ronaldo, wey play same number of World Cup editions, still dey wait for im maiden trophy. For 2026 FIFA World Cup, Ronaldo and Portugal exit at Round of 16, losing 1-0 to Spain. Messi-led Argentina face Spain for di final, seeking back-to-back titles.
While di football world dey count down to di biggest match, Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodríguez dey take tings easy. Ronaldo get personal connection to di final as Georgina get Argentine and Spanish roots. Di couple look completely relaxed for video wey dem share for social media, showing dem dey swim.
Wetin catch fans attention na say Ronaldo jump into pool wearing only im underwear, no swimsuit. Georgina casually stroll through pool as football biggest day dey happen. Many people dey amused by di couple carefree approach ahead of final.
