The book for glory is just days away to unveil its first chapter full of actions, drama, celebration, and surprises as 32 nations gunning with pride and patriotism. This year, the two generational icons of football in Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi will write their final chapter in the World Cup. They never lift the World Cup trophy and both of them are kicking their way to their first-ever. Here we’ll look back at the tales of Ronaldo and Messi in their national soccer uniforms.
The Qatar World Cup 2022 will be tagged as the world cup of first of many firsts and the heavy issues surrounds the country’s hosting, however, for the two football phenoms that defines the sports in the past two decades, this will probably their final tale in the FIFA World Cup with both looking to touch the soccer nets as many as possible on the way to their first title and to put an exclamation point into their impressive football resume.
Way back to the 2006 World Cup, when Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi first took the world stage aged 21 years old and 18 years old — this duo’s career and race for glory changed the landscape of football for great and would draw to a near end 16 years later. Ronaldo, 37, is suffering a very rough and rocky relationship with Manchester United while Lionel Messi, 35, is rumored to play for Inter Miami in MLS next season.
In this last World Cup, Messi and Argentina have the major odds and one of the favorites to lift the trophy after the 2021 COPA America that Argentina and Messi won against the number 1 ranked Brazil. Unlike Ronaldo, facing a series of struggles, regression, and having difficulties to find minutes for Manchester United and now involved in a drama slamming the current head coach Erik Ten Hag — added to the fact that Portugal team is not favorite to win the trophy and is considered Dark Horse instead of a contender.
Cristiano Ronaldo at the FIFA World Cup
Cristiano Ronaldo’s debut for Portugal National team at the 2006 World Cup marked with a yellow card in the 26h minute mark of the match against Angola. He made his first World Cup career goal when he converted a penalty in the 80th minute to double the lead of Portugal against Iran. He became the youngest Portuguese to score in a FIFA World Cup game. He became the major key for Portugal’s run to the semis after he scored the winning penalty in 0-0 draw match against England. In 2010, during his peak career, Portugal performed poorly despite having a demolition match against North Korea 7-0. The eventual champions Spain eliminated them in the last 16. During 2014, Portugal saw themselves struggle tremendously as he suffered an injury prior to the tournament. Germany thrashed Portugal 4-0, but suffered a draw with USA, and a narrow win against Ghana as they did not qualify to pass the group stage. Last 2018, he became a hat-trick hero, as he scored three straight goals, two came from penalty to secure the win against rival Spain. He became the oldest player to score a hat-trick. He scored a 1-0 win against Morocco and helped the team in a draw against Iran. The team exited the round of 16 after a 2-1 defeat against Uruguay. Surely, these stats will be a prospect to add in his final World Cup with Portugal.
Lionel Messi at the FIFA World Cup
The legendary status of the wonder boy in his 19 matches for Argentina will soon end. He scored six goals across all World Cup matches. He scored his first World Cup goal in the 2006 World Cup against Serbia and Montenegro coming off the bench in the 75th minute. He became the youngest Argentine to score a goal for Argentina at just 18 years old. He suffered a major setback in the 2010 World Cup, losing to Germany in the quarterfinals. In 2014, Argentina made a historic run to finals as Messi scored four goals and 1 assist in seven matches. They fell to the eventual champion Germany 1-0 in the final. Last 2018 Russia, Argentina once again on a tight spot gunning for first World Cup title for Messi as the team was derailed by the defending Champion France. Messi’s only goal in the tournament in a group match against Argentina. With his score against Nigeria, he became the first player to score a goal in the FIFA World Cup in his teens, twenties, and thirties. Lionel Messi is literally the hope and bright spot of Argentina in the World Cup, however, Messi never scored a single goal in the knockout stage, all in the group stage. Maybe this 2022 Qatar World Cup will be the final chance for Messi to score in the knockout stage all the way to their world Cup trophy.
Summary of World Cup stints of Ronaldo and Messi
| Cristiano Ronaldo | FIFA World Cup (2006 – 2018) | Lionel Messi |
| 17 Games Played | Total Appearances | 19 Games Played |
| 7 Goals | Total Goals | 6 Goals |
| 2 Assists | Total Assists | 5 Assists |
| Semi-finals (2006) | Best Finish | Finals (2014) |
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