World Cup 2026: Messi & Ronaldo set for one last dance on the biggest stage
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Numerous storylines will come together to weave an intriguing web during what will be a truly thrilling showcase of international football.
One potential story may ultimately usurp the rest if fate decides that the world needs to see Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo go head-to-head for the final time.
Messi was a standout performer as Argentina lifted the trophy at Qatar 2022. Plenty of sports bettors will back them to retain the title this summer.
For punters who use the best World Cup betting offers to wager on the tournament, Ronaldo and Portugal are a much riskier proposition.
Ronaldo's tally of eight goals in 22 appearances on the biggest stage is an underwhelming return given what he has achieved in professional football.
The former Real Madrid star will be desperate to set the record straight and Messi may be an obstacle he has to overcome to achieve the feat.
Messi's legacy is already established
Messi's previous record at the World Cup was nothing to write home about heading into the last edition in Qatar, but he silenced any remaining doubters in style.He scored seven goals in seven games as Argentina lifted the trophy for the third time. But for Kylian Mbappé's hat-trick for France in the final, he would have won the Golden Boot.
Whilst the 38-year-old is not quite as mobile as he used to be, his economy of movement could actually work to his benefit in North America this summer.
Argentina have a plenty of willing workers in their squad, which reduces the need for Messi to run himself in the ground.
Messi's ability to find his teammates with passes is still uncanny, whilst he has lost none of his goalscoring ability.
On that basis, odds of 8/1 on the best World Cup betting sites for Argentina to retain the trophy this summer are an extremely tempting proposition.
Messi's legacy was cemented by winning the 2022 World Cup. Another success would merely serve to strengthen his claim to be regarded as the greatest player of all-time.
Ronaldo still has a point to prove
Ronaldo's insistence that his legacy will not be defined by whether or not he wins the World Cup bore all the hallmarks of a man in denial.He is the all-time leading scorer in men's international football with 143 goals in 226 appearances, but the lack of World Cup success is a glaring omission on his CV.
Ronaldo has faced constant comparisons with Messi throughout his career, and saying with any clarity which one of them is better is an exercise in futility.
However, the World Cup is widely viewed by fans as the pinnacle of the sports – the place where footballing greatness is truly determined.
Ronaldo's record at five previous World Cups is disappointing. He has never played in the final, despite Portugal having one of the strongest squads in some of those tournaments.
The 41-year-old now plies his trade in the Saudi Pro League, which is still a footballing backwater despite the vast amount of money which has been spent on players.
He will head into this summer's tournament with a point to prove. If he fails to secure a World Cup winners' medal, his claim to be the greatest of all-time would not stack up.
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