Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are preparing to make history at this year’s World Cup in North America, with both superstars set to become the first players ever to appear in six different editions of the tournament. It will likely be their final appearance on football’s biggest stage, marking the closing chapter of two of the sport’s greatest careers.
Messi, who led Argentina to World Cup glory in 2022, had suggested that victory in Qatar might be the perfect ending to his international journey. However, he continued playing and remains a key figure for Argentina, now starring for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer after leaving Paris Saint-Germain.
Since the 2022 triumph, Messi has continued to deliver for his national team, captaining Argentina to Copa America success in 2024 and finishing as the top scorer in South American World Cup qualifying. He remains close to a major milestone of 200 international caps and is just three appearances away from that landmark.
The Argentina captain also continues to chase records at the World Cup, having scored 13 goals in the competition so far, putting him within reach of Miroslav Klose’s all-time record of 16 goals. He first appeared at the tournament in 2006 at the age of 18 and has since made 26 World Cup appearances, including the 2014 final run.
Cristiano Ronaldo, now 41, also enters what he has described as his final World Cup. The Portugal captain, the most-capped men’s footballer with 226 international appearances, has had a contrasting international journey, winning Euro 2016 but struggling to replicate that success at the World Cup.
Portugal’s best World Cup run with Ronaldo came in 2006 when they reached the semifinals, while recent tournaments have brought mixed results, including a bench role in the 2022 knockout stages. Despite this, he remains a central figure under coach Roberto Martinez and continues to lead the team while playing club football for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia.
Ronaldo has scored eight World Cup goals and will aim to add to that tally as he seeks an elusive first knockout-stage goal. With both Argentina and Portugal expected to contend strongly in the tournament, there remains a possibility that Messi and Ronaldo could meet in a quarter-final clash, potentially setting up a historic final showdown between the two legends.
