Can you imagine the day the legends finally left their national squads bereft of magic?
- Messi’s Argentina stats: 208 caps, 126 goals; World Cup winner 2022, two‑time Copa América champion, retired at 39.
- Ronaldo’s Portugal stats: 234 caps, 146 goals; Euro 2016 champion, Nations League winner 2019 and 2025, retired at 41, holds the record for most international appearances and goals.
For my money, their joint graduation cements them as the sport’s ultimate myths.
Lionel Messi stepped onto the World Cup stage just ten months after debuting for Argentina, coming on in the 74th minute of the June 16, 2006 group game as his side led Serbia and Montenegro 3‑0.
Within four minutes of his entry he set up Hernán Crespo and later capped the 6‑0 rout with a goal, a feat achieved barely after turning 19.
Messi’s journey with Argentina featured painful quarter‑final exits in 2010 and 2014, a loss to Germany in the Maracanã final, and Copa América defeats in 2015 and 2016, the latter prompting a brief retirement at 29 before he changed course two months later.
2021 marked a turning point when Argentina clinched the Copa América with a 1‑0 win over Brazil, and the Argentine captain shared the tournament’s top‑scorer title while leading in assists.
In 2022 he lifted the world trophy as Argentina conquered Qatar’s World Cup.
By 2024 Argentina reclaimed the Copa América, and in 2026 Messi played his final World Cup, finishing with 21 goals.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal saga spanned 23 years, beginning in August 2003 and shaping his career forever.
He appeared in six World Cups, scoring in each, and set an unprecedented record with 11 tournament goals, the first coming at 21 against Iran in 2006.
- World Cup totals: 27 matches, 11 goals, two assists. Will future stars ever match their legendary numbers?
Ronaldo captained Portugal to Euro 2016 glory and to UEFA Nations League titles in 2019 and 2025.
He remains the all‑time Euro top scorer with 14 goals and has contested six editions, the most by any player.
“Throughout my international career I pushed my limits, chased victory, aimed to be the best, and sought to make history. I’ve always demanded more, believed we could go further, and gave everything for Portugal. Some wins I’ll never forget, some defeats still sting. I failed and suffered when I couldn’t deliver what the nation deserved,” Ronaldo reflected.