Messi, 38, and Ronaldo, 41, Open Likely Final World Cup Campaigns

Q: As two legends exit, which new superstar will seize this World Cup to begin their own era of dominance?

Lamine Yamal looks like the strongest candidate to turn this World Cup into the start of a new era, with Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham the most credible challengers. The case for Yamal is the clearest from the pre-tournament evidence. At 18, he is already being described as the outstanding player of his generation and, in some scouting assessments, among the best in the world regardless of age. Spain’s attack increasingly runs through him, and his close control, decision-making and final-ball quality have drawn comparisons with the game’s great creators. If he drives Spain deep into the knockout rounds, this tournament could become his global coronation. Mbappé remains the safest pick if the question is who can dominate immediately. He is already the most accomplished post-Messi/Ronaldo attacker in World Cup terms, with the production, pedigree and stage presence to define another tournament. If France win, he would not be a breakout star so much as the player who formally inherits the sport’s center of gravity. Bellingham and Vinícius Júnior are close behind. Bellingham has the all-action authority of a tournament leader and the profile to become the face of England’s campaign. Vinícius offers the explosive match-winning wing play that can decide knockout games. If the question is about a true breakout, watch Nico Paz for Argentina and Endrick for Brazil. But if one player is best placed to begin a Messi-Ronaldo-sized new chapter, Yamal has the clearest runway.

3 articles · Updated · NBC News · Jun 16

Argentina face Algeria on Tuesday and Portugal meet Congo on Wednesday, launching what is widely expected to be Lionel Messi’s and Cristiano Ronaldo’s last World Cup runs.
A knockout-stage advance by both teams could set up one final meeting between the era-defining rivals, who have faced each other 37 times, with Messi leading 17-11-9 and both scoring 23 goals.
Messi has pulled ahead in the broader legacy race with eight Ballon d'Or awards to Ronaldo’s five and Argentina’s 2022 World Cup title, while Portugal’s best finish with Ronaldo was fourth.
Their rivalry has faded since Ronaldo left Real Madrid in 2018; they have met only twice since 2020 and now play outside Europe for Inter Miami and Al-Nassr.

Sources

NBC News6h ago

Messi's Argentina, Ronaldo's Portugal Begin Final World Cup Campaigns

AOL6h ago

Ronaldo and Messi kick off their World Cups with one last match potentially on the line - AOL

Fox 46 Charlotte6h ago

Portugal fans mixed on whether Ronaldo will help or hurt team's World Cup chances – Queen City News

10 Sources

How will this final tournament performance ultimately define the historic Messi vs. Ronaldo rivalry?

As two legends exit, which new superstar will seize this World Cup to begin their own era of dominance?

Beyond the pitch, what does their final World Cup reveal about the power of athlete-driven global brands?

Messi and Ronaldo Make History: The Sixth and Final World Cup Campaigns of Football’s Greatest Rivals (2026)

Overview

The 2026 FIFA World Cup marks a historic milestone as Lionel Messi, aged 38, and Cristiano Ronaldo, aged 41, both begin their sixth and likely final World Cup campaigns. Their remarkable journeys started together at the 2006 tournament in Germany, where Messi debuted at 18 and scored his first World Cup goal, while Ronaldo, then 21, played a leading role for Portugal and found the net against Iran. Now, two decades later, their enduring excellence and legendary rivalry captivate the football world, making this tournament a highly anticipated and emotional farewell to two of the sport’s greatest icons.

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