The two best players from the past ten years, Messi and Ronaldo, will be out to again try end the long going debate of who is better this summer. The goalscoring machines will both captain their respective national teams in the World cup to be held in Russia later next Month.
Prior to this year’s edition, the two have previously met at football’s biggest stage: 2006 in Germany, 2010 in South Africa and during the last edition staged in Brazil. How have their faired?
2006
This the very first world cup for both with Messi at 21 years of age and Ronaldo 23. Messi scored one goal and registered an assist as his Argentina side were eliminated in the quarter finals on post match penalties by the hosts Germany.
Ronaldo got a goal too as Portugal were eliminated in the quarter finals by a very experienced Zidane captained France.
2010
In Africa’s first World Cup edition Messi only managed an assist as Argentina were knocked out by Germany in the quarter finals while Ronaldo scored once and set up another to as Portugal bowed out at the first knockout stage.
2014
The last World cuo held in Messi’s native Continent saw the Argentine record his best numbers at a World cup When he scored four and set up one as they lost the final 1-0 to Germany. Ronaldo had a dismal World cup scoring once and one assist as Portugal failed to make it out of their own group.