Goa, June 29 -- For nearly two decades, the football world has been divided by one question: Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo? The legendary duo have dominated world football, breaking countless records for club and country while redefining greatness. At the 2026 FIFA World Cup, both icons created history by becoming the first male footballers to appear in six World Cup tournaments, adding another remarkable chapter to one of sport's greatest rivalries.

However, their World Cup journeys have unfolded very differently. Lionel Messi made a dream start to the 2026 campaign by scoring a sensational hat-trick against Algeria, helping Argentina register a commanding 3-0 victory. Cristiano Ronaldo, meanwhile, endured a frustrating opener as Po...