When Ronaldo Meets Messi: Could the 2026 World Cup Deliver the Century Showdown?
5 December 2025
Football fans are waiting for the 2026 World Cup, after FIFA conducted the draw tonight at the Kennedy Center in Washington, delivering a lineup many consider well balanced.
ESPN reported Argentina landed in Group 10 alongside Austria, Algeria, and Jordan, while Portugal were placed in Group 11 with Colombia and Uzbekistan, plus one qualifier from the Congo, Jamaica, or New Caledonia.
According to the ESPN network, the legendary Ronaldo and Messi could meet each other in the later rounds of the tournament.
Should Argentina and Portugal advance to the quarterfinals, we would witness a Messi-Ronaldo showdown, as both teams appear to be moving along a shared route to the final.
Never before in the modern era have the two stars met at a World Cup, making this potential appearance in their twilight one of the sport's greatest legends-in-the-making, a true match of the century.
And provided he stays injury-free, Ronaldo would surely captain Portugal in 2026, while Messi's involvement remains shrouded in doubt. Fans worldwide hold their breath for answers.
Messi recently said he hopes to participate with Argentina at the next World Cup, adding: I have always wanted to be there. If not, I will be in the stands, and it will still be a special experience.
Ronaldo longs to win the trophy that has eluded him so far, while Messi carried his country’s hopes in Qatar 2022—bring popcorn everywhere.
