For what was almost certainly their last dance at a World Cup, Lionel Messi performed a sweet, fleet-footed tango while Cristiano Ronaldo lost all rhythm and tripped over his own feet.
When it comes to modern football’s greatest debate and the role this tournament will play in defining their legacies, you couldn’t have painted more different pictures if you tried.
Messi is today celebrating the achievement of finally winning football’s greatest prize.
Ronaldo, on the other hand, crashed and burned in emphatic fashion for the world to see, with a reported nine-figure pay packet now awaiting him in the Middle East should he take it.
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If the debate was still alive prior to the tournament as to who is the greatest player of this era, perhaps ever, many consider it case closed now.
The signs were there early as to how things may pan out. For starters, Ronaldo entered Qatar straight after that interview with Piers Morgan aired and stole the headlines before a ball had been kicked in anger at the World Cup.
There was the awkward handshake exchange with former Manchester United teammate Bruno Fernandes and footage of him being snubbed by Diogo Dalot during a drill.
They were painfully awkward scenes and from the outside, it painted a picture all was not exactly rosy between Ronaldo and his teammates.
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However, Portugal boss Fernandos Santos entrusted the 37-year-old with the skipper’s armband as Ronaldo started the nation’s first group game against Ghana.
Ronaldo, who entered Qatar as the oldest striker, scored a penalty in the 65th minute as Portugal went on to win 3-2.
Yet the superstar’s tournament quickly took a turn for the worse against Uruguay and it was a trend that continued throughout the tournament.
In the 54th minute, Bruno Fernandes whipped in a cross that Ronaldo thought he got his forehead to as he went to celebrate.
However, vision later revealed Ronaldo did not, in fact, get any contact on the ball as fans piled in.
Ronaldo started the final group game against South Korea, but after proving ineffectual for 65 minutes, Santos took him off.
The superstar did not take kindly to his coach’s decision and also got into an argument with a South Korean player as he trudged off.
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It would prove to be the final Portugal game Ronaldo started in Qatar, as Santos opted to start Goncalo Ramos for the subsequent Round of 16 and quarter final clash against Switzerland and Morocco respectively.
Ramos bagging a hat-trick against Switzerland no doubt added to Ronaldo’s frustrations, especially since he missed a late chance against their European rivals.
Despite the 6-1 win over the Swiss, Ronaldo was also seen briefly clapping the Portuguese fans before making a beeline for the tunnel.
Another injection from the bench against the Atlas Lions left Ronaldo unable to impact the game, with the star walking off the field in tears after being eliminated from the World Cup.
So, how did Ronaldo’s run stack up against long-time nemesis Messi?
Well, aside from an opening-game blip against Saudi Arabia, it was full steam ahead for Messi and Argentina.
Group game wins over Mexico and Poland followed, with Messi scoring against the former.
Messi remarkably scored in every single one of La Albiceleste’s knockout stage games en route to the final, constantly dragging his team over the line with inspirational moments.
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With the opportunity to banish the ghosts of the 2014 final once and for all, Messi delivered yet again for Argentina with two goals, only to be pegged back by Kylian Mbappe twice.
But there was nothing Mbappe could do to prevent Messi and his teammates from converting their penalties in the ensuing shootout, as Argentina won their third World Cup and the nation’s first since 1986.
It sparked jubliant scenes among the 50,000-strong Argentinian contingent packed inside the Lusail Stadium and the millions across the South American nation.
Having now added the one trophy they both craved more than anything else in football, Messi will now always have one accolade to his name that Ronaldo, for all of his skills and achievements throughout his career, will never have.
And the timing of how things played out for both legends, simultaneously, carries plenty of weigh — it is perhaps telling that in the wake of the celebrations after the game, a number of players weighed in on the debate as to which player should be declared the greatest of all time (GOAT).
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England international James Maddison wrote: “For those who don’t know football know that tonight’s result didn’t determine whether Messi was the best player ever or not. But yet I’m so happy he did for the people who thought he needed it so now there’s no debate.”
Theo Walcott added: “No doubt that Messi is the GOAT!!!!”
As to where these players go from here, it remains to be seen.
Ronaldo is now a free agent after leaving United and has reportedly been offered a nine-figure contract to play for Saudi outfit Al-Nassr.
Messi is still contracted to European heavyweights Paris Saint-Germain, although there have been several rumours a switch to MLS outfit Inter Miami is on the cards upon the expiration of his contract.
The two will forever be linked having conquered football’s individual accolades at the same time, but with a World Cup trophy in tow, Messi has moved himself into clear air past his rival, forever.