- Joao Cancelo is a defender for Bayern Munich.
- Ronaldo has never won the competition in his career.
- In 2006, Ronaldo made his debut.
Joao Cancelo, a defender for Bayern Munich, has named Cristiano Ronaldo as his all-time favourite FIFA World Cup performer. Ronaldo has never won the competition in his career, in contrast to his former rival Lionel Messi.
When the tournament was held in Qatar in 2022, Lionel Messi and company won. Due to his outstanding performances at the World Cup, the young magician was awarded the Golden Ball. This was the Argentine’s second career victory in this category.
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While Ronaldo has never won that individual award in his career, Cancelo chose his countryman in the debate (via FIFA World Cup handle on Twitter).
#TheBest questions with Joao Cancelo🔥 pic.twitter.com/JNWbZhkG4r
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) March 2, 2023
In the same FIFA World Cup as Lionel Messi in 2006, Cristiano Ronaldo made his debut. Ronaldo was a key member of the Portugal team that year, which advanced to the semi-final.
Portugal failed to advance past the round of 16 in 2010 and the group stages in 2014, respectively. As Portugal was eliminated from the round of 16, Ronaldo scored four goals in 2018, including a hat-trick against Spain.
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The No. 7 made history in 2022 by becoming the first competitor to score in five different competition iterations. Portugal, however, lost to Morocco in the quarterfinal, and they were eliminated.
Ronaldo and Messi may have already competed in their final World Cups. Due to their advanced ages, it is unlikely that either player will participate in the tournament in the United States and Mexico in 2026.
For more than a decade, Ronaldo and Messi have dominated the world football stage. While both superstars are nearing the end of their careers, fans continue to debate who is the better player.
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Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger recently stated that fans should refrain from comparing them and instead focus on enjoying the duo while they are in action. Wenger stated:
When they aren’t there anymore, we will realize what they’ve given us. I always refuse to make a hierarchy on that because they are two completely different players, but two exceptional players who have shown the world for 15 years how great football can be.”
Currently, Ronaldo is a member of the Saudi Arabian team Al-Nassr. Since joining the team in January, he has contributed two assists and eight goals. In contrast, Lionel Messi has contributed 16 assists and 17 goals in 28 games for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) so far this season.
