Cristiano Ronaldo takes a dig at Lionel Messi, downplays Argentinas World Cup win: 'How many they received earlier than him?'

Updated on: Nov 07, 2025 07:09 am IST

Lionel Messi starred in Argentina’s 2022 World Cup win, claiming his second Golden Ball of the match , whereas Ronaldo’s Portugal exited within the quarters.

Al Nassr star ahead Cristiano Ronaldo took a shot at Lionel Messi’s achievement of profitable the World Cup with the Argentina workforce, referring to it as regular, given the workforce’s previous success. Ronaldo, who has but to win a World Cup in his profession, will get one other likelihood to win the title, which his long-time rival Messi received in 2022. Ronaldo and Messi engaged in a high-profile rivalry for over a decade, consistently competing on the sphere and having their achievements in contrast by way of membership and workforce successes. However, Messi’s World Cup triumph in 2022 led many to consider the long-standing GOAT debate had lastly been settled.

Cristiano Ronaldo downplays Lionel Messi’s World Cup win.(Reuters and AP Images)

Messi performed an important position in Argentina’s WC triumph and received his second golden ball within the match, whereas Ronaldo’s Portugal have been knocked out by Morocco within the quarterfinals of the 2022 mega occasion in Qatar.

During a podcast on his YouTube channel, Ronaldo subtly took a jab at Messi’s World Cup win when host Piers Morgan questioned the Argentine’s GOAT standing regardless of his eight Ballon d’Or titles.

“How many World Cups did Argentina win earlier than Messi? I don’t know, two occasions? It’s regular. These nations, they’re used to win massive competitions,” Ronaldo stated throughout an interview with Piers Morgan shared on Thursday.

The Portuguese legend additional gave an instance of Brazil and stated, “Brazil, in the event that they win the World Cup, they may shock the world? No.”

Meanwhile, he drew a comparability between the South American giants and his personal nationwide workforce, stating that Portugal’s win within the World Cup would shock the world extra.

“If Portugal win the World Cup, which is feasible, they may shock the world? Yes. But in my thoughts, I don’t give it some thought in that method,” Ronaldo admitted.

Lionel Messi outclasses Cristiano Ronaldo in Ballon d’Or race

With the nationwide workforce, Messi has claimed a World Cup and two Copa America titles. Ronaldo, alternatively, has received the 2016 Euros and two UEFA Nations League trophies, though the latter achievements don’t carry the identical weight as a continental title, such because the Euros or Copa America.

Ronaldo has fallen behind Messi within the Ballon d’Or race, with the Argentine holding eight titles—three greater than Ronaldo’s 5—cementing his dominance. With Ronaldo now within the twilight of his profession taking part in in Saudi Arabia, it seems more and more unlikely that he’ll shut the hole or surpass Messi within the prestigious award standings.

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