Ronaldo’s status as Portugal’s greatest ever is, however, further helped by the fact that the greats that came before him never won a trophy for the Portugal National team. Eusebio was dynamite, but he never won a trophy for Portugal. Figo was fabulous and led a golden generation but even he fell short of winning a trophy for Portugal.
Then, along comes Cristiano Ronaldo who leads a plucky Portugal side to their first ever international trophy - the 2016 European Championships, scoring three goals, and making three assists in the process.
Only three years later, Cristiano would lead Portugal to yet another international trophy - the UEFA Nations League, scoring three goals in the process.
So this European nation that had won nothing in world football since its first participation in an International football competition in 1966, had now won two international trophies in three years largely thanks to the wonderful performances by the great Cristiano Ronaldo.
On the other hand is the sorry case of Lionel Messi. He is statistically speaking Argentina’s greatest player of all time. 138 appearances, 70 goals and 48 assists makes him Argentina’s all time leading goalscorer and assist maker.
He has also led Argentina to four finals in major footballing competition - one World Cup final, and three Copa America finals. Unlike Ronaldo however, Messi lost all those finals leading to the frustration of the Argentinian faithfuls.
Their frustration stems from the fact that Argentina is a very successful International team. Prior to the era of Messi, Argentina had won 2 World Cups, 14 Copas Americas, and 1 Confederations cup. Thus, in the kingdom of gold, silver does not shine as bright.
Lionel Messi, sadly, has only brought second place silver medals to the Argentinian senior national team. Now some may point to his 2008 Olympic Gold medal as winning something major for his dearest Argentina, but the Olympic football games is a tournament strictly for players under the age of 23- which Messi was at the time- with only three players over the age of 23 allowed per squad. As such it is not considered a major International tournament nor a senior squad tournament. This is the reason why many of the greatest footballing nations either do not bother participating in it or bother taking it serious.
Due to Messi’s lack of success on the big stage, he is often compared - sometimes unfairly - to Argentinian legends like Maradona or Mario Kempes who have actually won major trophies like the World Cup and/or the Copa America, leading to Messi being viewed unfavorable by the Argentinian public in comparison to these legends.
It is truly unfortunate that an icon of world football like Lionel Messi does not get the respect he deserves in his home country, and makes you wish he had at least won one of those four finals. With Messi now at the age of 33 and his powers waning, it is becoming increasingly unlikely that he would win a major tournament for Argentina.
Cristiano Ronaldo has won major trophies for Portugal, Lionel Messi has not for Argentina, and that we can all agree is a footballing tragedy.
They both, however, have never won the World Cup for their respective countries, which in itself is a profound tragedy. And as age catches up with these two, football fans all over the world may have to come to terms with the fact that the two greatest players of all time may soon retire without winning the biggest prize in world football.
And regardless of this fact, they both get my utmost respect and the respect of the entire football world, because thanks to this two we were privileged to witness the greatest era in world football.
Posted by Nasirun Deen
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