Fifa World Cup 2022: Messi-Ronaldo ‘GOAT’ debate still unsettled – and they could meet in the final
- A triumph in Qatar could help determine which of them is deemed the ‘greatest of all time’ – or at least of their generation
- Lionel Messi has shown glimpses of his best, whereas Cristiano Ronaldo ended up being benched, but reaching the final could define one of them
For their legions of fans, next weekend’s World Cup final at the spectacular Lusail Stadium could see one of the sporting world’s most intense debates finally reach a conclusion.
The endless argument over whether Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi is the greatest of their generation – or indeed of all time – has long ignited passions, both in the stands and, perhaps more poisonously, among social media’s keyboard warriors.
As the quarter-finals at Qatar 2022 prepare for kick-off on Friday after the relentless grind of the group phase and the round of 16, football’s ultimate prize lies within the grasp of either man and with it would surely come their crowning glory.
Despite claiming 12 Ballon d’Or trophies between them – seven for Messi, five for Ronaldo – and four Uefa Champions League titles each, neither has won the World Cup.
Victory on December 18 would add significant weight to any claim of pre-eminence in a battle for individual superiority that has dominated discussion within the game for well over a decade, and would come with both players approaching the end of their careers.