Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo enter the 2026 World Cup with legendary resumes with plenty of similarities and some big differences.

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo can face each other at the 2026 World Cup, and this is how originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

After claiming the FIFA The Best and Ballon d’Or in 2025, Ousmane Dembélé has now joined an elite club with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

The 2026 Word Cup is approaching next summer and most of the biggest soccer stars will arrive in the United States, Canada and Mexico to represent their national teams at the best tournament in the world that takes place every four years.

Former Juventus star Claudio Marchisio has explained why Cristiano Ronaldo’s mentality, work ethic, and adaptability give him the edge over Lionel Messi.

One year after rejecting a move to Cristiano Ronaldo’s Saudi Pro League, a World Cup winner with Lionel Messi is reportedly set to see his contract expire at the end of the season. Most of Lionel Messi’s teammates from Argentina’s iconic 2022 World Cup triumph have maintained their level and are expected to feature again in 2026.

Former La Liga midfielder Derek Boateng reckons Lionel Messi edges out Cristiano Ronaldo in the greatest of all time debate, which has divided fans, former and current players, and experts.

Lionel Messi's Argentina and Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal learned their opponents for the 2026 World Cup after the draw was completed on Friday.

With Lionel Messi lifting the 2025 MLS Cup with Inter Miami, comparisons between his and Cristiano Ronaldo's record in finals start to rise.

Lionel Messi achieved a new title with Inter Miami by being crowned champion of the 2025 MLS Cup after defeating the Vancouver Whitecaps, leading fans to question how many titles Cristiano Ronaldo has won with Al Nassr.

Harry Kane is considered to be operating in the shadow of Bayern Munich wonderkid Lennart Karl, with the 17-year-old sensation being likened to Lionel Messi. He is, having made a stunning senior breakthrough at the reigning Bundesliga champions,