Messi v Ronaldo: Could the 2026 World Cup be the moment we get a definitive winner?

You must be in one camp or the other and there isn’t a fan in the world who hasn’t yet worked out their position on it.

TWO GREATS: Lionel Messi v Cristiano Ronaldo is a rivalry that, despite a lack of malice between the players, splits football down the middle. Pic: Martin Rickett/PA Wire.

Sat, 13 Jun, 2026 - 07:12

Chris Hatherall

Lionel Messi v Cristiano Ronaldo is a rivalry that, despite a lack of malice between the players, splits football down the middle.

You must be in one camp or the other and there isn’t a fan in the world who hasn’t yet worked out their position on it.

Could the FIFA World Cup of 2026 be the moment we get a definitive winner?

Ever since Ronaldo, then at Manchester United, faced Messi’s Barcelona in a Champions League semi-final in April 2008, the debate over which one is better and who is the greatest has spiralled out of control. Not least because Ronaldo’s spell at Real Madrid, and an endless battle for the Ballon D’Or, put them in direct competition.

These days, with Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia and Messi in the United States, that personal competition has ended: but a World Cup is an opportunity to bring it back to life.

Whether they get to meet is in the lap of the gods but it’s possible, even likely.

Messi’s Argentina sit in Group J (with Algeria, Austria and Jordan) while Ronaldo’s Portugal are in Group K (with DR Congo, Uzbekistan and Colombia) meaning that if both teams win their groups they could meet in the quarter-finals in Kansas City.

Thomas Partey denied entry to Canada and will miss Ghana v Panama World Cup clash

It would be the first time the pair have ever met at a World Cup finals – and both are playing in their sixth record).

There is also a possibility the pair could meet in the last 16 if one of their teams finishes second in the group (which seems unlikely given the opposition).

Either way, it is one last chance to prove who is the GOAT and you can bet that Ronaldo in particular, will have his eyes on the stats.

Could he overtake Messi’s current record of 26 appearances in World Cup finals (Ronaldo is currently on 22)? And, more importantly, could Ronaldo finally win a World Cup to match Messi’s victory four years ago? It's one of the few achievements that separates them and with Ronaldo now 41 and Messi 38 the rivalry doesn't have long to run.

It all means that if the match-up does happen in Kansas City, the tie has the potential to generate one of the tournament’s biggest television and online audiences in history.

It may also finally decide a debate that has rumbled on for almost 20 years - although given the passion with which fans on fans on both sides of the fence argue their position that may be optimistic.

What you can be certain of, however, is that Messi v Ronaldo is box office. So, let's enjoy it one last time.

The tale of the tape: Messi v Ronaldo

International caps: Messi 198 Ronaldo 226

International goals: Messi 116 Ronaldo 143.

World Cup tournament finals played: Messi 5 Ronaldo 5

World Cup finals appearances: Messi 26 Ronaldo 22.

World cup finals goals scored: Messi 13 Ronaldo 8.

World Cup Golden Balls: Messi 2 Ronaldo 0

World Cups won: Messi 1 Ronaldo 0.

Euros/Copa America trophies won: Messi 2 (plus 1 Finalissima) Ronaldo 1 (plus 1 UEFA Nations League)

Olympic gold medals: Messi 1 Ronaldo 0.

Total major trophies, club and country: Messi 72 Ronaldo 59