Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo insists his football legacy will not be “defined” by whether he matches Lionel Messi’s success at the World Cup. The Al-Nassr star appears to have performed a U-turn based on his latest interview, after initially claiming it would be a “dream” to lift the famous trophy before retiring. However, the icon has now insisted it does not matter what happens at next summer’s tournament.
Ronaldo vs. Messi debate continues
Comparisons between two football legends in Ronaldo and Lionel Messi continue to be drawn despite both now being in the latter stages of their careers. The former is still seeking a first title in Saudi Arabia with Al-Nassr, while the latter is spending his twilight years at David Beckham’s Inter Miami in the United States. Many fans point to the Argentina playmaker as the true GOAT of the sport after he lifted the World Cup with Argentina in 2022, but Ronaldo insists his career cannot be judged on whether he manages to win on the global stage.
In a preview for the second half of his interview on Piers Morgan Unsensored, which will be released on Thursday, the 40-year-old striker said: “If you ask me, ‘Cristiano, is it a dream to win the World Cup?’ No, it’s not a dream. Define what? To define if I’m one of the best in history, to win one competition, [of] six video games, seven video games. You suppose it is truthful?”
World Cup U-turn
Ronaldo’s quotes could come as a shock to some after his earlier phrases on the World Cup. The previous Manchester United and Actual Madrid star has been on file admitting how a lot it will imply to him to win the competitors. After Portugal had been dumped out of the 2022 event by Morocco within the quarter-finals, Ronaldo posted on Instagram: “Successful a World Cup for Portugal was the largest and most formidable dream of my profession. Thankfully, I received many worldwide titles, together with for Portugal, however putting our nation’s title on the highest stage on the planet was my best dream.
“I fought for it. I fought onerous for that dream. Within the 5 World Cup appearances I revamped 16 years, all the time alongside nice gamers and supported by tens of millions of Portuguese individuals, I gave my all. I left every little thing on the sphere. I by no means shied away from the battle and by no means gave up on that dream.
“Sadly, yesterday the dream ended. There is no level in reacting swiftly. I simply need everybody to know that a lot has been stated, a lot has been written, a lot has been speculated, however my dedication to Portugal by no means modified for a second. I used to be all the time only one extra individual combating for everybody’s objective and I might by no means flip my again on my teammates and my nation.
“For now, there’s not far more to say. Thanks, Portugal. Thanks, Qatar. The dream was lovely whereas it lasted… Now, we should hope that point will likely be a great advisor and permit everybody to attract their very own conclusions.”
Ronaldo: I do not need to be humble
Barcelona legend Messi, in fact, went on to win the World Cup for the primary time in his prestigious profession three years in the past, the crowning jewel on his massively profitable time on the pitch. The Inter Miami man has extra accolades in his assortment than Ronaldo, however that didn’t cease the Portuguese ahead from claiming he’s a greater participant. Requested flat out by Morgan whether or not he thought Messi was the GOAT, Ronaldo replied: “Is Messi higher than me? I disagree. I do not need to be humble.” Naturally, the remark sparked an enormous quantity of debate on social media, though the argument is more likely to go on for years after each have hung up their boots.
One final shot
Ought to Ronaldo lead Portugal to World Cup glory subsequent summer time, his opinion on that piece of silverware defining his legacy could change. Regardless of Portugal all the time being within the combine for soccer’s largest prize, Ronaldo has by no means been capable of take them past the semi-final stage. They’ve received the European Championship and the Nations League twice with their talisman main the road, however even when he denies it, failing to recover from the road subsequent summer time will depart a obvious empty spot on Ronaldo’s listing of achievements.
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