New Delhi: Le fifa world cup 2022 in Qatar is only 6 months away and football fans around the world, especially in Asia, are once again thrilled to see the best players in the game on the biggest stage.Also Read – From Neymar to Cristiano Ronaldo – Top 10 Biggest Football Transfers Ever
But this World Cup will be a little different from other editions because the two greatest gifts in football – Argentina Lionel Messi and of Portugal Cristiano Ronaldo may be taking part in the greatest spectacle on planet Earth for the last time. Also Read – World Cup Playoffs: Lionel Messi Leads Argentina Team To Final Against Italy
It will be an emotional start for both great men as an era full of heated rivalry, over 1000 goals, countless accolades will come to a gloriously close as two of the oldest footballers of the current generation prepare to bid farewell to the greatest flagship event. Also Read – Kohli At 61, These Are The 10 Highest Earning Sports Stars In The World
Even if they don’t win the World Cup, their legacy will forever be etched in the treasured memory of all football fanatics.
But now the questions arise, how will Argentina and Portugal fare in the 22nd edition of the World Cup? How many goals will Messi and Ronaldo score? Do they have the firepower of their artillery to land the biggest prize in the game?
People will have different opinions, but let’s look at the statistical point of view of both the Séléçao and the The Albiceleste.
Argentina have been on a dream run for 3 years as they are on a 31-match winning streak in international football. They lost a competitive game in 2019 to Brazil in the Copa America semi-finals. Lionel Messi has been surprisingly poor at his new club with PSG. But with Argentina, he led his side to a first international trophy in 28 years, finishing top scorer and best player at the 2021 Copa America. This Argentina team is full of confidence and has evolved over time and with a mix of young and experienced. players, the South Americans will be badass during the World Cup.
On the other hand, the Portuguese side are still a better team comparatively on paper. But we all know that games are not won on paper. Portugal in the World Cup qualifiers had a bumpy ride and they had to go through the play-offs to book a ticket to Qatar. Despite some good team players, the 2016 European champions failed to sort out their chemistry and it was all Ronaldo who in difficult situations saved his team from trouble again and again. To be a serious contender, Portugal need to emulate their exploits of 2016. If they manage to tick the right boxes, the Europeans could go all the way.
Individually, the two are more than capable of changing the course of the game, even in their mid-thirties. But when it comes to goals, Ronaldo would be a bit ahead of his rival at the start of the World Cup. CR7 is aging like fine wine and there is literally no one like him currently who has the dexterity to score like the 37-year-old. The Manchester United striker will have a tricky squad at Uruguay, Ghana and Asian giants South Korea. On the other hand, Messi will be more of a dictator during the game. He will head in all directions and when the opportunity arises he will quickly cut inside the box, maybe play a little one- two with his closest partner, then will strike into a scoring goal out of reach of the goalkeeper. Argentina will have Robert Lewandowski’s Poland with Saudi Arabia and familiar foes Mexico in their squad. People might think Messi’s group is easy, but at the grandest stage we’ve seen some big upsets and won’t be surprised if a certain Saudi Arabia beat Poland or Argentina. When it’s 11v11, it’s anybody’s game.
What do you think ? Will one of the great footballers win the World Cup in Qatar?
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