Football icons Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have once again sparked debate among fans after their contrasting views on the FIFA World Cup — the one trophy that continues to divide their illustrious legacies.
In a recent interview with Piers Morgan, Ronaldo said that not winning the World Cup wouldn’t define his career, suggesting that success shouldn’t be measured by just one tournament.
“If you ask me, Cristiano, is it a dream to win the World Cup? No, it’s not a dream,” Ronaldo said. “To define if I’m one of the best in history by winning one competition of six or seven games — you think it’s fair?”
The Portuguese star, now in the twilight of his career, has represented his nation in five World Cups but has yet to lift the coveted trophy — the only major title missing from his cabinet.
⚽ Messi’s ‘Ultimate’ Response
In a heartfelt response, Lionel Messi shared his contrasting perspective during an interview with Goal.com, describing the World Cup victory as the “ultimate achievement” of his career.
“Explaining the feeling of that moment is difficult,” Messi said. “Winning the World Cup was special — for me, my family, my teammates, and the entire country. It was something Argentina had been yearning for, and to deliver that was indescribable.”
Messi emphasized that for any professional footballer, there is nothing beyond the World Cup.
“For a player, winning the World Cup is the ultimate achievement. There’s nothing more after that. I was lucky to have achieved everything at the club and individual level, but this was the missing piece — it completed my career,” he added.
🌍 A Career-Defining Moment
The 38-year-old Argentine legend, who led his nation to victory at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, compared the emotion of winning the trophy to the joy of fatherhood.
“When I won the World Cup, it was the same feeling I had when my children were born,” Messi said. “It’s something so immense that everything that follows feels small.”
Both Messi and Ronaldo, widely regarded as two of the greatest footballers of all time, are now in the final stretch of their storied careers. Yet, their contrasting philosophies continue to fuel discussions about legacy, ambition, and the meaning of greatness in world football.
Originally published on 24×7-news.com.
