The two greatest players of their generation are still sharing the World Cup stage. But while Lionel Messi appears capable of carrying Argentina to another title, Cristiano Ronaldo is fighting simply to influence games.The difference isn’t just age or form. Argentina have built a team that maximises Messi’s strengths, while Portugal are asking Ronaldo to survive on scraps.Both have reached the knockout stages, but one looks like a genuine contender to lift the trophy while the other risks an early exit. Portugal face Croatia in the round of 32 on Thursday before Argentina take on Cape Verde 24 hours later.Had Portugal topped Group K, Messi and Ronaldo would have been placed on a collision course to meet in the quarter-finals. As it is, the two legends can only face each other if Argentina and Portugal make a run all the way to the final. The way the latter is playing at the moment, that seems unlikely.Messi and Argentina have good reason to believe they can retain the title they won in Qatar. Of the teams still left in the World Cup, only France are averaging more goals per game than the reigning champions, who were one of only three sides to emerge from the group stage with a 100 per cent record from three matches.How Messi prepared for the World CupChristopher Hamill, Alexander BarkerSix goals in those three matches have highlighted Messi’s ability as a match-winner — even at the age of 39.With six goals, the Inter Miami playmaker has the highest goals per game ratio (2) of any player at the 2026 World Cup to this point.After Kylian Mbappé scored twice against Sweden on Tuesday to match Messi’s six goals, Messi is second-favourite to win the World Cup Golden Boot for the first time in his career. The list of top scorers makes hard reading for Ronaldo right now.Big names have been delivering. Mbappé and Messi lead the way with six goals at this stage, while Erling Haaland (five goals), Ousmane Dembélé and Vinícius Júnior (four each) have all found the back of the net with regularity. The race for the Golden Boot might be the fiercest in World Cup history.Ronaldo is surely casting an envious eye at the exploits of some of his rivals. While the 41-year-old bagged a brace in Portugal’s group stage win over Uzbekistan, he has otherwise struggled to provide the firepower his team requires. He has been a shadow of his former self — and rated at 55/1 to win the personal award.It reflects how the Portuguese forward is labouring for opportunities in front of goal. However, the player himself isn’t entirely to blame for his recent trouble. While Argentina are harnessing Messi, playing to the strengths of their veteran goalscorer, Portugal aren’t doing the same for their superstar forward. Indeed, Ronaldo has been starved of service inside the penalty area.Portugal are ranked a lowly 15th for big chances created. For context, Ecuador have created more despite scoring just two goals in four matches at the competition.The expected goals (xG) chart makes for even worse reading with Portugal all the way down in 21st. In their opening game against DR Congo, Portugal failed to generate a single big chance and finished with a pitiful xG of 0.62.It was a similar story in their final group game against Colombia when once again Portugal laboured to create opportunities, finishing with an xG of 0.72.Ronaldo’s one goalscoring performance, against Uzbekistan when he found the back of the net twice, came in a match that Portugal created no fewer than seven big chances in. When the 41-year-old was afforded the service, he proved he can still provide the finishing touch, albeit against a lower calibre of opponent.Portugal’s biggest issue at this World Cup hasn’t been Ronaldo, it’s been the set up of their midfield.While Roberto Martínez boasts one of the strongest midfields on paper, Bruno Fernandes, João Neves and Vitinha have lacked cohesion in the three matches they have played together.Argentina, on the other hand, have been able to control games through Enzo Fernández and Alexis Mac Allister in the centre of the pitch with Lautaro Martínez used as an attacking focal point for Messi to play off and around. Ronaldo, in contrast, has been isolated as Portugal’s lone centre forward in their 4-2-3-1 system.Of course, a more mobile forward than Ronaldo might be able to involve themselves in Portugal’s possession play. The 41-year-old touched the ball in the opposition box just twice in the goalless draw against Colombia and so he might have been better served drifting, even if only to open up space for some of his teammates.Even still, Ronaldo is leading the way for Portugal in goals, xG and shots on target per 90 minutes. This might highlight part of the problem for the 2016 European champions, but Ronaldo is entitled to feel he isn’t being set up for success in the same way Messi is with Argentina.Messi and co. will take on Cape Verde on Friday in a round of 32 tie Argentina are firm favourites at 1/25 to advance to the last 16.Portugal have been drawn against Croatia and are 9/4 to be knocked out – potentially drawing a line under Ronaldo’s World Cup career in Toronto on Thursday.Messi and Ronaldo might not directly face each other at this World Cup, but new historic moments are still on the horizon.