The superstars’ latest mission: How Messi and Ronaldo slip into different roles at the World Cup

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are everywhere at the World Cup. You see them all the time, in hotel breakfast rooms, in subway stations as big as shopping malls and, of course, in stadiums. Everywhere people are wearing Messi or Ronaldo shirts. The two aging stars – Messi is 35, Ronaldo 37 – are still the biggest names in world football. And they have the same mission in Qatar: in their fifth and probably last World Cup, they want to cap off their extraordinary career with the last title they still need. You want to be world champion.

announcement

Their countries are still in the running. Messi’s Argentines will score this Friday (20:00 CET, ARD And magenta television) in the quarterfinals against the Netherlands, Ronaldo’s Portuguese wins on Saturday (16:00, ZDF extension And magenta television) to do with the surprise World Cup in Morocco. But the two superstars play opposite roles at the tournament in Qatar. Messi is Argentina’s key player, he throws himself to the last big dance. Ronaldo, on the other hand, is only a second choice for Portugal, it has become a problem. Writing such a sentence has been unimaginable for almost two decades.

Ronaldo went to the World Cup without an employer. Manchester United had his contract terminated after he complained about his reserve role at the club and forward manager Erik ten Hag in an interview with riot reporter Piers Morgan. How his club career will continue is difficult to say. Does she go ahead? Ronaldo can be seen in the Champions League, but apparently there has only been one offer so far, that of Al-Nassr from Saudi Arabia. A sign of the approaching end of a world career.

National coach Fernando Santos also recently lost Ronaldo. After poor performances in the group stage (only one goal) and his childish behavior when he was substituted against South Korea, Ronaldo was on the bench in the round of 16 against Switzerland. Portugal played as if released from their shackles and showed their best performance of the tournament with a 6-1 victory. The man of the night with three goals was 21-year-old striker Gonçalo Ramos, Ronaldo’s full-back. The game marked a turning point, a generational change.

announcement

Rumors of Ronaldo leaving the World Cup

It is not clear what role Ronaldo can still play at the World Cup. Coach Santos reacted evasively to these questions: “All players on the bench can be used. If they are not in the starting XI, they can be replaced.” Apparently, Ronaldo has no desire to be a prankster. He is said to have even threatened to withdraw from the World Cup. The Portuguese association denied that Ronaldo suspected a conspiracy behind the rumours. The cohesion of the team is too great to be destroyed by outside forces, he tweeted. Ronaldo continues to reliably make headlines, but not with his performances on the pitch.

With Messi it’s different. His key role in the national team is not in doubt. He is Argentina’s inspiration, he takes responsibility in critical moments. In the second group game against Mexico, which had to be won at the start after the sensational defeat against Saudi Arabia, he contributed to the 2-0 victory with the opening goal and an assist. When he scored, he found an opening in defense that didn’t really exist, that only he could see. Tears came to his eyes as he celebrated the goal, they were tears of relief.

Also in the round of 16 against Australia (2:1) Messi scored the first important goal. It was his first goal in a knockout match at the World Cup. Fate seems to be on his side. “I wouldn’t replace him unless you ask me to,” said Lionel Scaloni. Messi remains untouchable. Unlike Ronaldo.