Tonight sees Cristiano Ronaldo make his 2026 World Cup bow, but is he going to have the same impact as M'bappe, Haaland and of course Messi have already had on the tournament. Personally I think it's very unlikely. Having just watched M'bappe's fantastic 2 goals against Senegal and his all round performance, he looked like the world class player he is, because lets get it right Senegal are no mugs. As for Haaland he scored a brace in his sides 4-1 win over Iraq and didn't look too bad, but he did what he always does which is score goals. Then of course there was Lionel Messi and his masterclass against Algeria, again we have to take into account that Algeria are not the greatest team in the world but Messi was head and shoulders above anyone on the pitch. The thing is that gets me is that next week this man turns 39 years old, yet he still has pace, he still has all the tricks and when he gets a chance on goal you know it's gonna be in the back of the net. I have to admit I was one of those who thought that he may have retired from international football after realising his ultimate dream of becoming a World Cup winner 4 years ago, believing that even for a a magician like him that pushing nearly 40 and playing in a major tournament would be a bridge too far. Nah mate, this bloke is going to play football forever. He is like the modern day Stanley Matthews or something, I can see him still strutting about the place in 12 years time at the age of 50 scoring 6 goals in a first round match against Micro Indonesia a week away from his 51st birthday and still walking off the pitch on 70 minutes without breaking into a sweat.
No doubt in that same World Cup Cristiano Ronaldo will be player manager for Portugal and still be playing 90 minutes despite the fact he can no longer barely walk let alone run, but at the age of 53 he continues to keep going believing that this time his Portugal side will win the World Cup and he will score the winning goal despite being 8-0 down to the Isle Of Man after 63 minutes with all the goals coming directly from Ronaldo losing possession on each occasion. Never give up kids, always believe.
Of course I jest but I really believe that Ronaldo wont pack it in until Messi does, probably just to prove a point that he can keep on going longer than his counterpart and most fiercest rival. Don't get me wrong Ronaldo has been a special talent and his rivalry with Messi throughout the years has been brilliant to watch but Messi has always been that special player with a big smile on his face, Ronaldo however has always been the one who despite his undoubted talent has always had more of a face like someone who eats pickled onions for breakfast. It always seems like winning football matches and playing good football has always been a chore for him as for Messi it has always been a joy. Messi is also so unassuming and appears to be humble and comes across as a nice fella, Ronaldo on the other hand seems like a proper big headed, egotistical twat that if you saw him walking toward you, you would cross the street just to avoid him.
After his performance last night Messi has proved he is truly a phenomenon and it wouldn't surprise me at all if he helped Argentina to back to back World Cup victories. If Portugal lift the trophy in a few weeks time I'm not sure that Ronaldo will be the catalyst though and I can only imagine if they did win it that Bob Martins must have grown some bollocks and dropped the winking wanker from his first 11.
Having said all of this Portugal should have more than enough to beat Doctor Congo with or without Ronaldo, but I will certainly be hoping that he and his Portugeezers get a right good kicking from the good Doctor.
Up the Leopards!!
