New Delhi, June 24 -- The debate over who is football's GOAT (Greatest of All Time) - Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo - has once again been reignited at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The ongoing tournament is widely seen as the swansong for two icons who have dominated world football for more than two decades.

Lionel Messi has enjoyed a dream start to the tournament, scoring five goals in his opening two matches. The Argentine captain netted a hat-trick against Algeria before following it up with a brace against Austria.

Cristiano Ronaldo, meanwhile, endured a disappointing start in Portugal's opening match against DR Congo, where he failed to register a single shot on target. However, the 41-year-old responded emphatically in the next gam...