Messi and Ronaldo Set for Record Sixth World Cups in What Could Be Their Final Dance

Al Jazeera · 2d ago

With the tournament kicking off June 11, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are both on track to become the first men to play in six World Cups, framing this edition as the probable finale to soccer's defining rivalry. Messi, now playing for Inter Miami, already holds the trophy that eluded him for years after Argentina's 2022 win, while Ronaldo, anchoring Al Nassr at 41, is still chasing the one prize that has never been his. Reporters following both camps say neither star has shied away from suggesting this will be their last shot on the sport's biggest stage.