The age-old rivalry between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo continues to heat up as the Argentine superstar drew level with the Portuguese with his jaw-dropping hat-trick against Bolivia. In just his second game back from injury, Messi put on a masterclass performance, scoring three goals and assisting two more in Argentina's 6-0 win in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. With his 10th international hat-trick, Messi now equals Ronaldo's record and is just 21 goals behind him in the overall international goal tally. Their intense competition shows no signs of slowing down even as they enter their late thirties.
Messi and Ronaldo: The Eternal Rivalry
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are two of the greatest footballers of all time. Their rivalry has been one of the most intense and competitive in the history of the sport.
Background
Messi and Ronaldo have been compared to each other since they were teenagers. They both emerged as stars at the same time, and they have both played for some of the biggest clubs in the world. Messi played for FC Barcelona for 21 years, while Ronaldo played for Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus.
Messi is a left-footed forward who is known for his dribbling skills, passing ability, and goalscoring prowess. Ronaldo is a right-footed forward who is known for his speed, aerial ability, and powerful shot.
The Rivalry
The rivalry between Messi and Ronaldo has been fueled by their on-field performances and their off-field rivalry. They have both been accused of being selfish and of trying to outdo each other.
The rivalry reached its peak in 2017 when Ronaldo left Real Madrid to join Juventus. This was seen as a sign that Ronaldo was trying to escape Messi's shadow.
Recent Developments
In recent years, the rivalry between Messi and Ronaldo has cooled down somewhat. This is because they are both entering the twilight of their careers. However, they still remain the two best players in the world.
In 2022, Messi led Argentina to victory in the FIFA World Cup. This was his first major international trophy. Ronaldo, on the other hand, has not won a major trophy with Portugal.
Top 5 FAQs
Ronaldo has scored more goals than Messi. He has scored 829 goals for club and country, while Messi has scored 793 goals.
Messi has won seven Ballon d'Or awards, while Ronaldo has won five.
This is a matter of opinion. Some people believe that Messi is the better player, while others believe that Ronaldo is the better player.
It is unlikely that the rivalry between Messi and Ronaldo will ever end. They are both competitive players who will always want to be the best.
Messi and Ronaldo are both entering the twilight of their careers. It is likely that they will retire in the next few years. However, they will continue to be remembered as two of the greatest footballers of all time.
After a lackluster 3-3-1 start to the season, NFL Hall of Famer and former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Michael Irvin has been highly critical of team owner and general manager Jerry Jones. In particular, Irvin has been vocal about the team's defensive struggles and the departure of promising rookie Micah Parsons. With Parsons no longer on the field, the Cowboys have seen a decline in their interception game, leading to more big plays for their opponents. Despite Jones's efforts to find a replacement for Parsons, it seems the Cowboys are missing his presence on the field more than ever, according to Irvin.
Indian chess prodigy D Gukesh emerged victorious against American Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura at the Clutch Chess Champions Showdown, redeeming himself after the controversial king-throwing incident in an earlier match. With his respectful and calm conduct, Gukesh showed the world what true sportsmanship is all about, in stark contrast to Nakamura's earlier theatrics. His win not only restored his pride, but also reinforced the values of dignity, patience, and respect in competitive chess.
During the third ODI between Australia and India in Sydney, Shreyas Iyer sustained a serious rib injury while attempting to catch Alex Carey. Despite his valiant effort, Iyer's injury has been revealed to be more severe than initially thought, with a laceration injury to his spleen in addition to the impact injury to his ribs. The BCCI is closely monitoring Iyer's recovery, as he is expected to be out for at least three weeks and miss the upcoming South Africa ODIs.
India beats Pakistan in the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup with a partnership between Abhishek and Gill that reached 105 runs, easily taking Pakistan out of the game. Abhishek scored a 39-ball 74, with six fours and five sixes, while Gill made 47 in 28 balls, with eight fours. After reaching the target, Abhishek and Gill made some remarks and gestures towards the Pakistani bowlers, showing a reminiscent of the 1996 World Cup battle between India and Pakistan. This win puts India on top of the Super Four stage with two wins in a row.
India's batting line-up faces a major setback as the Women's ODI World Cup semifinals nears, with star opener Pratika Rawal ruled out due to a freak injury. The team is now looking for a replacement to open alongside Smriti Mandhana, with options like Harleen Deol, Amanjot Kaur, and even the return of Shafali Verma being considered for the crucial match against Australia. Rawal's absence will be a huge blow for India's chances of lifting the World Cup.
With the unfortunate injury of Pratika Rawal, India has named Shafali Verma as the official replacement in their squad for the Women's ODI World Cup. The 21-year-old opening batter had been dropped from the team's ODI plans but her impressive form in the shortest format has earned her this opportunity. Verma will have to fill in for the consistent Rawal, who had a phenomenal partnership with Smriti Mandhana, and impress in a format she hasn't played in since 2024.
Shafali Verma has been named as the replacement for the injured Pratika Rawal in India's squad for the World Cup semifinal against Australia. Rawal had suffered a freak injury while fielding in the last group stage game against Bangladesh. Verma, who has been in good form in domestic cricket, is expected to open the innings with Smriti Mandhana in the knockout clash. Rawal's absence will be a blow for India, as she has been a key player for the team and holds the record for the joint fastest century in ODIs.
India's promising opener, Pratika Rawal, has been ruled out of the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 due to a severe ankle injury sustained during the team's last league game against Bangladesh. The injury occurred due to the wet ground conditions as the match was reduced to 43 overs per side. Rawal, who had an impressive year in international cricket, will be a significant loss for India as they face Australia in the semifinals.
According to sources, Indian ODI vice-captain, Shreyas Iyer, was admitted to the ICU at a Sydney hospital after suffering an impact injury during the third ODI against Australia. The injury appeared minor at first but after returning to the dressing room, Iyer suffered internal bleeding and was quickly admitted to the hospital by the BCCI team doctor. Fans are now anxiously waiting for Iyer's speedy recovery and return to the field.
In a major setback for Team India, opener Pratika Rawal has been ruled out of the World Cup semi-final against Australia due to an ankle injury sustained in the match against Bangladesh. Rawal, who had played a crucial role in the team's victory against New Zealand, suffered a fracture and will not be able to take part in the crucial match. There are also concerns over the fitness of wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh, who was hit on her finger in the previous match and did not play against Bangladesh. As a result, India will have to make some changes to their line-up and also decide who will open the innings with Smriti Mandhana in the match against Australia.