Messi vs Ronaldo: what results would see Argentina vs Portugal in 2022 World Cup?

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are considered by most people to be in the conversation for greatest of all time, so how do we see them head to head?

Two players of the modern game are coming to the end of their careers at the very, very top. Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are believed to be in the handful of footballing superstars who can make a claim to be the best ever. Clearly it’s a debate that is unlikely to ever be agreed on, as generational changes and weighted arguments will never be truly aligned, but it’s fun nonetheless.

As we entered the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, there was a realisation by everyone that this is almost certainly going to be the final occasion when either global phenomenon would be seen strutting their stuff on the biggest international stage. And that got people licking their lips at the prospect of both locking horns as they did at their peaks for Barcelona and Real Madrid in LaLiga.

So when could Portugal face Argentina in Qatar?

Messi vs Ronaldo: a World Cup final for the ages

The two nations began the 2022 World Cup on opposite side of the draw, Argentina in Group C and Portugal in Group H. If they both top their groups -- something that is far from certain at the time of writing -- then they could not face each other until the showpiece final on 18 December.

If, however, one of them was to end their group stage in second place, then there may be a chance we see this clash of GOATs earlier. Let’s consider an example.

If the Albiceleste do take first place, but the European team finish second, then the latter will jump over to the first half of the draw, facing the winner of Group G (most likely the favourites for the title, Brazil. With the assumption (one we need to maintain for all these hypotheticals) that our protagonists always progress, then the two would meet in the semi-finals. The same clash point would be realised if roles were reversed, Argentina switching sides and almost certainly being pitted against France in the round of 16.

So, it may be a lovely idea, but based on early form it’s not looking as though we’ll see this legendary head-to-head. Nevermind, however, as maybe they’ll both end up in an oil-rich league against each other or in the same team.