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With the FIFA World Cup 2026 going on and Argentina reaching its second consecutive final, Messi, at 39 years old (probably his last World Cup), still shows how important a player he is for La Albiceleste. So far in this tournament, he's scored eight goals and made four assists; this number could, of course, go higher after the game with Spain in the World Cup final.
Messi could be on the verge of winning his second World Cup, and this will make him an even stronger contender to be the Greatest Of All Time, or the GOAT as they call it. For many, though, he is already the GOAT, and (Cristiano) Ronaldo was never in the debate. Messi fans consider CR7 lucky that he's got the privilege of being compared to LM10.
On the other hand, Ronaldo fans argue that Messi's Argentina was already a stronger contender to win the World Cup, and that it's unfair to use a World Cup win as the yardstick, since winning with Portugal is apparently much harder.
Truth be told, there are indeed many variables; it's not a simple black-and-white answer or opinion. I personally think it's impossible to compare the two, given how differently built they are and also in their way of playing the game.
