Cristiano Ronaldo Takes a Swipe at Messi Ahead of 2026 World Cup
Cristiano Ronaldo has revived his ongoing rivalry with Lionel Messi by stating that Argentina won two World Cups without Messi
, while emphasizing that without me, Portugal has never won anything.
Ronaldo's Calm Outlook on the Future
In the second part of his interview with Piers Morgan Uncensored, the 40-year-old Portuguese star spoke with unusual calmness about his future:
Winning the next World Cup will not change my name in football. It’s not a dream to win the World Cup — I just want to enjoy the moment.
As captain of Portugal heading into the 2026 World Cup, Ronaldo said he plays for his country, not for his personal legend.
Context of the Rivalry and Upcoming Qualification
- Wayne Rooney recently reignited the Messi versus Ronaldo debate by calling Messi
the better player.
- Portugal needs only one point against Ireland on November 13 to secure their spot in the tournament.
- This qualification could provide Ronaldo one last opportunity to make history on football's biggest stage.
Despite expressing contentment with his career, the Al Nassr forward couldn’t resist one final jab at Messi, showing his competitive spirit remains strong even at 40.
Author's Summary
Cristiano Ronaldo remains fiercely competitive at 40, confidently balancing respect for his legacy with pointed remarks toward Messi as the 2026 World Cup approaches.