By: Nutifafa BEQUINE
The bookmakers, many journalists and football analysts have tipped Brazil, Argentina, Spain, Portugal, France and Germany to be the countries likely to win the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, which has already started in 0-2 defeat for the host.
But the expectation of Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi winning the ultimate seems to be taking centre stage, even days to the start of the tournament. With their large size fan base, this tournament will be “make or break affair” for the two iconic footballers, since they are approaching their retirement from the game they love so much playing with so much pride.
The quadrennial event will see Ronaldo and Messi participating for the fifth time, making it two decades of rivalry between the two.
This will also be the end of an era, if the two or one of them retire before the next world cup.

Ronaldo, 37, and Messi, 35, are unlikely to return to participate in the world biggest stage as the tournament is being played once in every four years. This only mean that Ronaldo will be 41years and Messi will be 39 years at the next FIFA World Cup, making it relatively low for any of them to participate as a player.
The oldest player to have played in the history of the world cup is Essam El-Hadary. The Egyptian shot stopper was 45 years and was featured in 2018 world cup match against Saudi Arabia.
The oldest on-field player who has played at the world biggest stage after 40 years is Roger Milla of Cameroon. Roger was then 42 years when he played in the world cup match against Russia on 12th June, 1994.

An internet breaking picture of the two, Ronaldo and Messi playing chess on Louis Vuitton bag with the caption “Victory is a State of Mind. A long tradition of crafting trunks photographed by @annieleibovitz for @louisvuitton” has been posted by the two players on their social media pages around the same time seems to be giving the world cup extra publication as many fans are trying to give their own understanding of the picture as many predict Portugal vs. Argentina final.
The fierce rivalry between Ronaldo and Messi can not be underestimated as they both hold records and both are being hailed as Greatest Of All Time (GOAT). It is another opportunity to settle the debate with the bragging right of world cup trophy.

Ronaldo’s records.
Ronaldo is Portugal National team captain and plays currently for Manchester united in the Premier league. The Portuguese is the holder of most goals in professional career with over 800 goals for clubs and country.
The Portuguese Forward has won five champions league and five Ballon d’or awards, the second highest in the history of the award and the most by an European player. He also won four European golden boots.
Ronaldo has the record for most champions league appearances, 183, scoring 140 goals and 42 assists.
Cristiano Ronaldo has in his honor 32 trophies. His international appearance is 191 and netting 117 goals making it the most for European player.

Messi’s record
Messi is Argentina’s captain with high profile of records. He spent most of his career life at Barcelona in Spain before joining PSG in 2021 Summer. Messi has a record of seven ballon d’or awards and a record of six European golden shoes. Messi holds the record with most goals in La Liga and most hattrick in La Liga, 474 and 36 respectively. He is the record holder of most assist in La Liga with 192 assists. The forward is the holder of most international goals by South America male player with 91 and total career goal over 785.
Portugal is drawn in group H against Ghana, South Korea and Uruguay. Ronaldo and co will open their campaign against the west African side, Ghana on Thursday, 24 November, 2022.
Argentina is paired against Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Poland in group C. They will face Saudi Arabia in their group opener on Tuesday, 22 November, 2022.