The contrasting World Cup of Messi and Ronaldo
The rival duo, constantly competing with each other for more than 10 years, are determined to win the 2022 World Cup - the only title missing in the massive collection. However, Messi and Ronaldo showed contrasting performance from the beginning of the tournament.
Messi was the inspiration to help Argentina reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup 2022. In the group stage, the 35-year-old star scored twice, including a penalty kick in the opening match, losing 1-2 to Saudi Arabia and a superb long-range shot to open the scoring. Mexico 2-0. In the 1/8 round against Australia, Messi continued to make a difference with his left foot opening, contributing to a 2-1 victory.
Meanwhile, Ronaldo only scored one goal from the penalty spot in the opening match against Ghana 3-2. The 37-year-old striker also controversially claimed a goal with a header from Bruno Fernandes' cross in the victory against Urguay in the second round. Adidas uses technology to confirm that the ball has not touched Ronaldo, and the organizers have calculated the goal for Fernandes.
After that, Ronaldo was sulky when he was substituted at the beginning of the second half against Korea, making coach Fernando Santos unhappy. In the 6-1 victory over Switzerland in the 1/8 round, Ronaldo lost the main kick for junior Goncalo Ramos - who shone when he scored the first hat-trick of the 2022 World Cup.
Not only the score, the British newspaper Sunsport also pointed out professional statistics showing the contrast of the performance of Messi and Ronaldo. Specifically, Messi hit 10 shots on target, created 13 chances, passed 209 passes, fouled 4 times, scored three and assisted one goal, through 4 matches played.
Meanwhile, this stat of the Portuguese striker is two shots on target, creating three chances, passing 81 passes, fouling twice, scoring one goal and not providing any assists.
Before the 2022 World Cup, Ronaldo caused controversy when he accused Man Utd of betraying him, affirming that he did not respect current coach Erik ten Hag, criticized his predecessor coach Ralf Rangnick, and criticized the Glazers owner and infrastructure. , gym equipment in Carrington, in an interview with journalist Piers Morgan.
Therefore, the 37-year-old striker was terminated by Man Utd before the expiration of half a year. Spanish newspaper Marca later reported that Ronaldo had reached an agreement to join Saudi Arabia's Al-Nassr club on a 2.5-year contract with $200 million in salary per season. However, CR7 has denied this rumor.
