Lionel Messi (Paris Saint-Germain) and Cristiano Ronaldo, who divided the football world in the 2010s, were one of the regular debates among football fans in the so-called ‘Meho War’, which is arguing who is better. The two have been evaluated as the best players of all time while writing records that cannot be matched in the history of football, but they were always compared to each other as they enjoyed their prime at the same time.
From the late 2000s to the 2010s, the two players shared the Ballon d’Or award given to the best soccer player of the year (Messi 7 times, Ronaldo 5 times). Except for the two players, the only player to have won the Ballon d’Or at this time is Real Madrid’s Luka Modric (2018).
However, Ronaldo and Messi, who lifted numerous trophies in their team, were far from the only World Cup trophies. Since the 2006 World Cup in Germany, they have been on the stage of four World Cups, with Messi finishing runner-up at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and Ronaldo finishing fourth at the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
As a result, the evaluation followed that ‘the one who wins the World Cup will soon become the best player’.
And the evaluation of the two players was sharply divided through this World Cup.
Messi has succeeded in kissing the World Cup trophy of his dreams.
Argentina, where Messi belongs, faced France 3-3 in the final match at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar on the 19th (Korean time) in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, and then scored 4-2 in the penalty shootout that followed. and won the championship. Argentina had the pleasure of adding a trophy after 36 years.
Messi scored 7 goals and 3 assists in this tournament and was awarded the Golden Ball for the best player. He became the first player to receive the FIFA Golden Ball twice since FIFA first instituted it in 1982. He was awarded the Golden Ball in the 2014 competition. He also recorded 13 goals and 8 assists in his World Cup career, becoming the first player to break the 20 mark in offensive points in his career.
Ronaldo, on the other hand, lost face. Portugal, which Ronaldo belongs to, lost 0-1 in the quarterfinals against Morocco held at the Altumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar on the 11th.
Unlike Messi, who posted 10 attack points, Ronaldo only scored one goal in this tournament. Even this was a penalty kick, not a field goal. From the round of 16, he was pushed out of the starting lineup and became a replacement member. As he was pushed back as a bench member, some speculated that there was a discord between the Portuguese national team and Ronaldo.
With Messi holding the World Cup trophy that Ronaldo did not have, the evaluation of the two players was bound to be mixed.
Numerous football experts also seem to be raising their hands on Messi.
German football legend Lothar Matheus said, “Messi is the best and best player. Messi is a person who can stand shoulder to shoulder with Maradona.”
British broadcaster Sky Sports commentator Jamie Carragher put Messi first and Ronaldo fourth in the GOAT (The Greatest Of All Time) rankings on his social media account. 메이저사이트
In addition, the British media ‘The Sun’ published a composite photo of Ronaldo presenting the crown to Messi, saying, “The controversy is over.” Global sports media ESPN also raised Messi’s hand, saying, “It was difficult to find an answer to the question of who is the better player between Messi and Ronaldo before, but not anymore.”
The future moves of the two players are also contradictory.
Messi, who plays for Paris Saint-Germain, continues his career in Europe, but Ronaldo competed in the World Cup as an independent with his contract with Manchester United terminated just before the tournament. It is expected that he will continue his career as a player in the Middle East, which is called ‘the stage of the twilight of his career’ while his future direction is also unclear.