by Now whisper this: The most exciting, fascinating, enraged, heated, and passionate soccer debate may be ready to resume in full.
With the exception of a small, obliging minority, which is still rather large, Lionel Messi sealed the ultimate triumph in the G.O.A.T. debate (or at least the greatest of modern times) when he helped Argentina win the World Cup in Qatar in 2022.
At 39 years old, Cristiano Ronaldo appeared to still possess his flashy smile and toned abs, but it was clear that he would go down in history as the B-side of the most prestigious and top club soccer matches in the history of the game.
Perhaps, though, there will be one last surprise. Ronaldo has played a significant part in Portugal’s incredible start to Euro 2024, but in a slightly different role as a striker.
Only two other teams can say the same about Roberto Martinez’s team, as they have won both of their first games. Most crucially, Portugal has appeared as strong as its qualifying record of ten wins marred by interruptions indicated. It lost the opening game to Czechia, but since then, it has moved the ball with imposing elegance and impact. On Saturday, Turkey was crushed 3-0.
There is still a long way to go, even though Portugal has secured first place in Group F with one match remaining. Such major tournaments are effectively two independent events, and there will still be a 16-team viper pit in a knockout bracket.
Portugal, however, appears as poised, happy, and self-assured as anyone.
And the discussion over legacy? Messi has won the World Cup and the Copa América, while Ronaldo won the 2016 European Championship. Both have won every possible prize numerous times at the club level.
If Ronaldo equalizes Messi in terms of international titles after playing with a national team support staff that was inferior to Messi’s for the majority of his career and Argentina falters in the Copa, it would provide his supporters with a lot of convincing ammo.
The choice between Ronaldo and Messi is often based on personal preference, as both players have been exceptional and won numerous titles, with Ronaldo being the ultimate showman and Messi being quieter and more spotlight-averse.
The debate on Messi, Ronaldo, and Diego Maradona’s best soccer performances is complex, with Pele’s gap potentially larger than Messi and Ronaldo’s during the mid-1980s.
