Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are very close to a historic moment, as both are expected to record their sixth World Cup appearance with Argentina and Portugal.
The two legends of world football, who have dominated the international scene for more than a decade, could write another chapter of their extraordinary rivalry at the 2026 World Cup.
The roads of Argentina and Portugal on tour
Argentina has been drawn in Group J alongside Algeria, Austria and Jordan. According to predictions, the defending champions are expected to finish the group in first place.
If they achieve this goal, the Argentines will face the team that finishes second in Group H in the round of 32 on July 4. That group includes Spain, Uruguay, Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, Portugal will face Congo, Uzbekistan and Colombia in Group F, and are also considered favourites to finish first in the group.
If they finish top of the group, Portugal will face one of the third-placed teams from Groups D, E, I, J and L, also on July 4.
Messi vs Ronaldo match scenarios
According to ESPN’s analysis, there are several possible scenarios for a new confrontation between the two stars:
If Argentina and Portugal win their groups and successfully advance to the 1/32 and 1/16 of the finals, then a Messi-Ronaldo quarterfinal becomes a real possibility.
However, if both national teams finish second in their respective groups, there is a possibility that they could face each other in the round of 32, making their path much more dramatic.
The legacy of two legends
Messi has already won the 2022 World Cup with Argentina, crowning his career with the biggest trophy in international football.
Cristiano Ronaldo, meanwhile, reached his peak at the World Cup in 2006, when Portugal finished in fourth place, his greatest success in the tournament.
If the two stars manage to meet again in the qualifying stages of the 2026 World Cup, it would be another historic chapter in modern football’s greatest rivalry.
