World Championship Through the Lens of Messi and Ronaldo's Legacy

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In the summer, across the Atlantic, the world football championship will be exceptional not only due to its new format. For the first time in history, the tournament will feature 48 teams, but this is not the only reason why this championship will attract such great attention. This championship could become a symbolic farewell to two football legends who have shaped the face of the sport over the last two decades.

Of course, we are talking about Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Two players whose rivalry has long divided football fans into two camps, and their achievements have repeatedly rewritten history. Now both are approaching the end of their careers, but they still remain dangerous and capable of determining the outcome of matches.

One will seek a dream, the other – will try to repeat it

Cristiano Ronaldo's relationship with the World Cup has never been as successful as the player himself might have hoped. Although he achieved solid results with the Portugal national team, he has yet to conquer the biggest trophy. For that reason, the upcoming tournament may be his last chance to fulfill this dream.

In 2016, Ronaldo triumphed with Portugal at the European Championship – it remains the most significant achievement of his career with the national team. At that time, Lionel Messi's situation looked entirely different. The Argentine had long been criticized for failing to win the most important trophies with the national team.

However, the last few years have turned everything upside down. Messi won the Copa America tournaments in 2021 and 2024 with the Argentina national team, and in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, he finally secured the long-awaited title. He was recognized as the best player of that tournament and later won the "Ballon d'Or" award once again.

This way, Messi essentially ended the debate about his legacy – he has won everything that can be won in football. Over his entire career, he has also collected eight "Golden Balls," while Ronaldo has five such titles in his collection. Football has never seen such quantities of individual awards.

What are the legends doing now?

Although both footballers still demonstrate a high level, the trajectories of their careers have changed in recent years. Neither Ronaldo nor Messi is playing in the strongest European leagues anymore, but that doesn't mean their influence has diminished.

Cristiano Ronaldo has been playing in the Saudi Arabian club "Al Nassr" for almost four years now. There, he remains one of the top scorers in the entire championship and constantly shows impressive form despite his age. However, team titles during this period are not as frequent as they were at the peak of his career in Europe.

Meanwhile, Lionel Messi chose Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States, where he represents Miami "Inter," a club managed by legendary Englishman David Beckham along with his partners. He has not only become one of the key faces of the league but also helped his team win a title and was recognized as one of the best players of the tournament. So, new wheels still suit these players.

What awaits in the championship?

In the upcoming World Cup, both Portugal and Argentina will start their fights in fairly favorable groups. The Portuguese will compete against the teams from Colombia, Uzbekistan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This is a group where Portugal is considered the clear favorite.

The situation for Argentina also looks quite good. The defending champion team will face Austria, Algeria, and Jordan. While opponents cannot be underestimated, Argentina has every opportunity to confidently advance to the next stage.

According to betting companies' predictions, Argentina is generally considered one of the top five favorites, while Portugal often ranks just behind them – around sixth place. This indicates that both teams have real chances to go far.

A chance for fans to say goodbye

This World Cup could become not only a sporting event but also an emotional moment for millions of fans around the world. It is highly likely that both Ronaldo and Messi will retire from their national teams after this tournament.

If that were to happen, the football world would bid farewell to the two greatest stars of this century on the biggest stage. This adds extra weight to each of their matches in this championship.

While their careers are nearing their end, one thing remains unchanged – both players can still create magic on the pitch. And that is why this World Cup will not only be about new stars but also about legends who will once again try to leave their mark in history.