When can Messi and Ronaldo face each other at the 2022 World Cup?
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are widely considered to be the best players of all time. So how do we see them face off in a match at the 2022 World Cup?
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are widely considered to be the best players of all time. So how do we see them face off in a match at the 2022 World Cup?
The two biggest stars in world football today are about to end their careers at the peak of their powers. Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are considered to be among the few football superstars who can claim to be the best players ever. It is clearly a debate that is difficult to come to a consensus on who is better. It depends on each person's personal assessment.
Going into the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, everyone is aware that this will almost certainly be the last time either of the two global phenomena will strut their stuff on the biggest international stage. And that has everyone excited at the prospect of the two facing each other in a specific match as they did at their peak for Barcelona and Real Madrid in La Liga.
So how could Ronaldo's Portugal meet Messi's Argentina in Qatar? The two teams are in two completely different groups. Argentina are in Group C while Portugal are in Group H. If both finish first or second in their groups, they cannot face each other until the final on December 18.
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However, if either team finishes second in the group stage, we could see this classic clash sooner. If the Albiceleste win Group C, they will face the runners-up in Group D (likely Australia). If Portugal finish second in Group H, Ronaldo's side will face the winners of Group G (likely title contenders Brazil).
If they overcome the above opponents, they will meet in the semi-finals. The possibility of meeting in the semi-finals is also possible if Argentina is second in Group C and Portugal is first in Group H. In that case, Argentina will meet the first team in Group D, France. If Portugal is second in Group H, they will meet the first team in Group E (which could be one of the four teams: Spain, Japan, Costa Rica or Germany).
Of course, every neutral football fan will hope that Messi and Ronaldo face each other in the 2022 World Cup final. However, if they cannot, they can still play together in the same shirt as both Inter Miami and Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr are nurturing ambitions to recruit both of them.
