BallTalk TV: Can Ronaldo eclipse Messi and get his hands on an international trophy?

If Cristiano Ronaldo leads Portugal to victory in the final of Euro 2016, will his career have been more successful than rival Lionel Messi, asks Robert McNamara

CRISTIANO Ronaldo came close to winning the European Championships in 2004 when home nation Portugal surprisingly lost to Greece.

Lionel Messi, Ronaldo's arch nemesis according to the media at least, was still to make his Argentina debut at that stage and his since been through three Copa America finals and one World Cup final - all of which were lost.

Messi retired from international football after the latest final defeat to Chile this month saying he could do no more and has been widely criticised - by Diego Maradona among others - for not doing enough to help his national team win their first trophy since 1993.

Ronaldo meanwhile, despite having matched Michel Platini's tournament record haul of nine goals and scoring in every Euro finals since 2004, has also faced the ire of some for going missing in big games and not being influential enough.

For some, the Madeiran's outstanding performance against Hungary, victory-clinching penalty in the second round shoot-out with Poland and decisive semi-final header are not enough - not to mention his five-goal contribution in qualifying.

While their club careers are comparable - with goal to game statistics which have never been seen on such a consistent level before - both Ronaldo and Messi's struggles on the international stage leave many questioning their right to be mentioned in the same breath as established world renowned greats such as Pelé and Maradona.

Is this unfair?

If the answer to that question is no, then will Ronaldo's status be elevated beyond Messi should Portugal beat France in Sunday's final?

Whatever the outcome, the debate will continue to rage.

It would surely be a nonsense to disregard the accomplishments of players like Johan Cruyff, Alfredo Di Stefano and George Best because they never tasted international honours.

Maybe we will only truly appreciate the impact Ronaldo and Messi have had on the game when they retire.

Until then, while Messi insists on his self-enforced exile from  La Albiceleste, Ronaldo still has a chance to put his greatness beyond doubt.