Two of the most famous athletes on the planet walked off the same tournament stage within 24 hours of each other. One was crying tears of joy. The other was just crying.
Lionel Messi, 38, helped Argentina claw back from a deficit to beat Egypt 3-2 on July 7, sending his team into the 2026 World Cup quarterfinals. A day earlier, Cristiano Ronaldo watched Portugal fall 1-0 to Spain, almost certainly ending his World Cup career at age 41. Both men were visibly emotional.
Two legends, two very different exits
The drama unfolded at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Portugal and Spain kicked things off on July 6, with a tight, tense match that Spain won by the slimmest of margins.
Ronaldo, competing in what is widely expected to be his final World Cup appearance, was gracious in defeat. He told reporters he left “with a clear conscience.”
