Noureldein GhanemWashington, DC — The last time North America hosted the FIFA Men's World Cup was in 1994, when the tournament was held in the United States.
While the tournament returns to the continent after 32 years, it is marking the final chapter for two footballing giants widely regarded as the greatest of all time (GOATs) — Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
For the past 20 years or so, the global football landscape has been characterised by a defining dynamic: Portuguese Ronaldo and Argentine Messi operate in a league of their own, while the rest of the world's players compete in another entirely.
They have forged legendary careers, winning every major title on offer, breaking every record imaginable, and lifting their teams to unprecedented heights.
Now, as they enter the twilight of their humongous careers, 41-year-old Ronaldo and 39-year-old Messi will captain their respective national teams, Portugal and Argentina, at the 2026 FIFA World Cup — their final chapter on the international stage.
Legend with many records
Born Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro in Madeira, Portugal, Ronaldo began his professional career in the 2002-03 season with Sporting CP.
Following an impressive friendly against England's powerhouse Manchester United, the Red Devils signed him in 2004. With United, he won three consecutive Premier League titles, the FA Cup, and the 2008 Champions League.
In 2009, he joined Real Madrid, one of football's most successful clubs, where his impact on the sport began to show.
Ronaldo won everything with Los Blancos, including La Liga, the UEFA Champions League, the Copa del Rey and the FIFA Club World Cup.
In 2018, he spent three years at Italy's Juventus, winning two Serie A titles.
Following his second spell at Manchester United, Ronaldo joined the Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr, where he currently plays.
Ronaldo has made clear that 2026 will definitely be his last World Cup.
"(The 2026 World Cup) will definitely be my last because I will be 41 years old… When I mean soon [retirement], it’s really soon, because I gave everything to football. I’ve been in the game for the last 25 years. I did everything. I have many records. I’m really proud. So let’s enjoy the moment, live the moment," he told CNN in a November 2025 interview.
But Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez has expressed confidence in Ronaldo, stating that the veteran forward could play in another World Cup at the age of 45.
Asked if Ronaldo could play at the 2030 World Cup, Martinez recently told Cadena Ser radio that "No one should doubt that. He's earned it."
Ronaldo is making a record sixth World Cup appearance when he leads Portugal in the current tournament. Portugal are co-hosting the 2030 World Cup with Spain and Morocco.
Portugal begin their World Cup campaign against Democratic Republic of Congo on June 17 before taking on Uzbekistan on June 23. Their last Group K game is against Colombia on June 27.
Ronaldo has meanwhile announced the start of his 'mission' as he begins training with the squad.
"Começa a Missão Mundial! " ("The World Cup Mission Begins! "), the Portuguese star posted on social media on Monday, hoping to finally win the World Cup for his country.
Ultimate playmaker
While Ronaldo is revered for his athleticism, goal-scoring efficiency, and aerial ability, Messi is recognised for his playmaking and dribbling skills.
Messi's story began in Rosario, Argentina, where he was born in 1987 before going on to spend the majority of his professional career at FC Barcelona.
With the Blaugrana, Messi perfected and completed the game, amassing a record 35 trophies — including 10 La Liga titles, 7 Copa del Rey titles, 8 Supercopa de España, four Champions League titles, three UEFA Super Cups and three FIFA Club World Cups.
In 2021, he went to France's Paris Saint-Germain, where he won three more titles over two years, including two Ligue 1 titles and one Trophée des Champions.
Messi currently plays for Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami, commonly referred to as Inter Miami, an American professional football club.
Messi has stated that the 2026 tournament will almost certainly be his final World Cup, marking the end of his international career with the Argentinian national team.
"As I’ve said before, I don’t think I’ll play another World Cup. At my age, it’s only logical to think I might not," the Argentine star said after his team’s 3-0 win over Venezuela in September 2025.
In December 2025, he even admitted he might not play in 2026, despite his strong desire to participate.
Messi has, however, left the door ajar for possible friendlies afterward as a farewell, but the overwhelming expectation shared by media, teammates, and the Argentine federation is that he will retire from international football once the World Cup concludes.
For Inter Miami, he is not retiring yet — he signed a contract extension that runs through the 2028 season.
Messi and Ronaldo — a duo without match
Most football pundits agree that no one has come close to matching the exceptional levels reached by these two players.
That includes young superstars, like Norway's Erling Haaland and France's Kylian Mbappe, and even older superstars who shared the same stage with Ronaldo and Messi, including Brazil's Neymar, Uruguay's Luis Suarez, France's Karim Benzema, Egypt's Mohamed Salah and Poland's Robert Lewandowski.
Ronaldo, so far, is football's all-time leading goal scorer, with over 970 goals, and he even seeks to reach 1,000 milestone before calling it a day.
Broken down to competition level, his numbers are still very hard to achieve.
Ronaldo, often dubbed "Mr Champions League", scored 450 goals for Real Madrid, 145 for Manchester United, 101 for Juventus, and more than 100 for Al Nassr.
He is currently the UEFA Champions League all-time leading goal scorer with 140 goals. He is also the all-time top scorer for men's international matches, with 143 goals, followed by Messi with 116, and Iran's Ali Daei with 108.
Messi, on the other hand, is football's most decorated player, with a record of 46 titles, followed by his former Barca teammate Dani Alves with 43, and Egypt's Hossam Ashour with 39.
Messi has scored nearly 800 goals over the course of his professional career.
He scored 672 goals for Barcelona, 35 for PSG, and 67 for Inter Miami, and his tally continues to grow.
It will be a significant challenge for players such as Mbappe and Haaland to match or surpass these figures.
One last dance
During the 2026 FIFA World Cup, fans around the world will be closely watching two legends competing in their final World Cup.
This will mark a record sixth World Cup appearance for both players.
Messi played in 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2018, and won the World Cup in 2022.
Ronaldo played in 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, and 2022. He has yet to win the World Cup, making this his final opportunity to clinch the long-sought trophy.
There is even a possibility that both stars could face each other on July 11 in Kansas City for a quarter-final match, provided Argentina — avoiding the "defending champions' curse" — and Portugal win their respective groups and progress.
Despite both superstars playing in every tournament since 2006, Argentina and Portugal have never crossed paths in the World Cup itself.
This could be both their first and final opportunity — and what an absolute treat for fans to watch Messi and Ronaldo clash against each other in one last dance.
