Former Indian football captain Bhaichung Bhutia has shared his thoughts on the enduring legacy of football icons Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, emphasizing that despite both players being in the later stages of their careers, they remain the central figures of the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026.
Historic World Cup Edition
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to begin on June 12 (Indian Standard Time), will feature a record 1,248 players from 48 nations, reflecting the tournament's expanded format. This edition marks the sixth World Cup appearance for both Messi and Ronaldo, a historic achievement that highlights their remarkable longevity at the highest level of the sport.
Messi and Ronaldo's Stellar Records
Lionel Messi, who currently plays for Inter Miami, has won more European Golden Boots than Cristiano Ronaldo, topping the all-time list with six awards compared to Ronaldo's four. Messi also holds the record for the most Ballon d'Or wins, with eight titles, while Ronaldo has claimed the prestigious award five times. Together, the duo has dominated the Ballon d'Or for over a decade, securing 13 wins between them from 2008 to 2023.
Bhutia on a Potential Knockout Clash
Speaking to ANI, Bhutia expressed excitement at the possibility of Messi and Ronaldo facing off in the knockout stages of the tournament. He noted that while such a match would have generated even greater excitement eight or four years ago, the fact that the World Cup is still centered around these two players underscores their immense impact. Bhutia remarked, "We could be seeing Messi and Ronaldo play either in the quarterfinals or the semifinals or around that. And it could be a great match. But again, I think four years ago or maybe eight years ago, it would have been great excitement. The entire World Cup would be speaking about Ronaldo and Messi, even though this World Cup, we're still talking about Messi and Ronaldo."
Messi's Triumphs with Argentina
Reflecting on Messi's remarkable run with Argentina, Bhutia highlighted how the 2022 World Cup victory in Qatar liberated the Argentine star and sparked an unprecedented era of dominance for the national team, which also added two Copa America titles to its trophy cabinet. Bhutia stated, "Messi, I think, has been fantastic, with Argentina, because they needed that win. Once they won that Copa America, and they went on to win the last World Cup (2022) and then another Copa America. So for him now it's on a run where they've won everything."
Ronaldo's Quest for World Cup Glory
Turning his attention to Portugal's captain, who is the highest official goal scorer in men's football history, Bhutia noted that Ronaldo has a strong supporting cast that could mount a serious title challenge. He expressed hope that the 41-year-old would finally capture the elusive World Cup trophy and retire at the pinnacle of the sport. Bhutia observed, "I think for Cristiano, for him to retire, which hopefully this is going to be his last World Cup. So they've got a great squad. Portugal is one of the best teams in this World Cup. So I think it'll be great to see Ronaldo win a World Cup and retire and not try again to come back in the next World Cup if he doesn't win."
Ronaldo currently holds the record for the most goals in men's international football, with over 140 goals for Portugal in more than 220 appearances. In terms of overall career goals (club and country), he has scored over 970 official senior goals across Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, Al Nassr, and Portugal.
Playing for Legends
Bhutia added that the ultimate motivation for the Portugal squad would be to win the 2026 title for Ronaldo. He said, "So I'm sure the players want him to win and say thank you and retire as well. So yeah, the players are going to play for both these players, Argentina and Portugal."
What Sets Them Apart
When asked what distinguishes Messi and Ronaldo from their peers, Bhutia highlighted their records, professionalism, and attitude. He stated, "I think the record, their professionalism, and their attitude. I think they've been some of the... they have been. I think these two have been the role models for all the footballers across the world. I think any young kid playing football in India, these are the two great role models you need to follow. And it's wonderful that we've seen such great footballers in our generation got to watch them."
The former Indian captain added, "And the kind of success they've had, especially Ronaldo, in every league he's played in, everywhere he's scored goals. He's been fantastic. Even at the age of 40-plus, both of them are still, you know, playing for the country and representing the World Cup. So I think these guys have dominated world football for the last maybe two decades now. And I think this is their fifth World Cup, which itself speaks very highly of it."
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