Messi Extends His Legacies at the World Cup While Ronaldo Faces a Decisive Moment
June 24, 2026 · Global
When the 2026 World Cup takes place, Messi shines with Argentina, while Ronaldo faces pressure with Portugal. Key performances from Mbappe and Kane added to the excitement of the tournament.
As the 2026 World Cup draws ever closer, eyes are turning to the biggest stars in football as records continue to be broken and expectations rise. Defending champions Argentina have already booked their place in the knockout phase with one game remaining, along with two-time champions France. England will look to do the same today, while hard-pressed Portugal look to bounce back after a disappointing start.
Created History
Lionel Messi is on a mission. One of the best in football history continued to prove his worth, scoring twice to inspire La Albiceleste to a 2-0 victory over Austria. Despite missing a penalty early in the match, La Pulga managed to score either side of the half, putting in a stunning performance after his hat-trick gave Argentina a 3-0 win over Algeria in the first leg. Messi has now scored all five of Argentina's goals in the tournament, moving away from Miroslav Klose and Kylian Mbappe on the list of all-time World Cup top scorers.
Mbappe is also no less shining. He continued his form after scoring two goals against Senegal with two additional goals in France's 3-0 win over Iraq. Not wanting to give Messi the opportunity to win the Golden Boot, Mbappe has now equaled Klose as the second highest goalscorer in World Cup history with 16 goals. Mbappe continues to show sharpness at the World Cup.
However, there is a newcomer who is stealing the show. Erling Braut Haaland wasted no time in his first World Cup appearance. After scoring two goals in the win against Iraq, Manchester City's goal machine scored another brace in the 3-2 win over Senegal. Even so, he also made a mistake that could be considered a 'miss of the tournament' when he only hit the goal post even though he was in front of an empty goal.
Ronaldo's turn
The world is waiting with great anticipation for Cristiano Ronaldo's response to Messi's hat-trick. However, he was less than impressive in Portugal's 1-1 draw against DR Congo. One of the most disappointing international matches for the player with the most goals in international football history saw him receive widespread criticism from fans and the media, increasing the pressure on the Al-Nassr players ahead of their next match. A disappointing performance from one of the greatest of all time.
However, Ronaldo is a winner. He's proven that time and time again throughout his illustrious career, and now he's determined to silence his critics. With Portugal under pressure to get all three points against Uzbekistan, all eyes will be on the 41-year-old, who is on a mission to prove himself and wants to restore his side's title ambitions.
There are only a handful of players more desirable to lead the national team's attack when times are tough. So, would you dare to bet against Ronaldo? Remembering the former Madrid star, he won't go down without a fight.
Can Kane Keep Up with the Speed?
Whatever Mbappe and Haaland can do, Harry Kane can do it too. The England captain scored twice in the first 45 minutes as they beat Croatia 4-2 in their Group D opener. There's a reason why many consider Kane to be the most complete striker in the world, and he didn't disappoint fans on the first day of play, putting in a dazzling performance in Arlington. Victory over Ghana would ensure England progress to the knockout stages with one game remaining, and there is no doubt Thomas Tuchel will put his team's fate in the 30-year-old's hands once again. If there's one man you can rely on in this star-studded England team, it's the former Tottenham Hotspur captain.
With 81 international goals, Kane is the heart of this team. England should not underestimate Ghana, who snatched a late win over Panama thanks to Caleb Yirenkyi's 95th-minute winner. The previous meeting with Ghana was in 2011, when they shared the points in a 1-1 draw, while England have never lost a World Cup match against an African side, with five wins from eight meetings.