They broke all the records but can they win a World Cup?
November 18, 2022
Top illustration: Nazario Graziano / agencyrush.com
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have defined each other’s footballing careers, legacies and worlds for over a decade.
They’ve managed to adapt to each other, scaling previously uncharted heights, but they embody different philosophies.
There’s Messi – smaller, more introverted, a natural footballing genius who shares his creativity with the team, assisting almost as much as he scores. And then there’s Ronaldo – taller, a physical specimen who works his way through defences, grafting and training until he’s simply better than anyone else on the pitch.
But despite all their accolades, none have won the World Cup. The Qatar 2022 competition could be their last chance to determine if either of them can finally lift the biggest trophy of them all.
See how star players compete, dating back to their professional debuts.
August 2002
August 2003
october 2004
August 2005
June 2006
Apr. 2007
May 2009
July 2009
Nov 2009
Dec. 2009
July 2010
Apr. 2011
March 2012
Apr. 2014
July 2014
Nov 2014
October 2015
June 2016
July 2016
Apr. 2017
March 2018
May 2018
June 2018
July 2018
October 2018
July 2019
July 2021
August 2021
September 2021
Feb. 2022
September 2022
Nov 2022