Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo last met on January 19, 2023, in a friendly match between Riyadh All Stars and Paris Saint Germain. This match was also Ronaldo’s debut in Saudi Arabia.
The game was a nine-goal thriller with the Parisians emerging victorious by 5-4. Messi opened the scoring for Paris in the third minute of the game. Marquinhos, Sergio Ramos, Kylian Mbappé, and Hugo Ekitike were the other names on the scoresheet for the French champions.
For Riyadh All Stars, Ronaldo scored a brace (34 ‘-pen and 45 + 6’). Jang Hyun-Soo and Anderson Talisca also scored for the Saudi-based outfit.
Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo: Possible Scenario
The storied rivalry between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi may have a fairytale ending as the two legends have a chance to meet for one final time in a proper football match.
The premier continental tournaments of Europe and South America – The Euros and Copa America are in full swing. If Portugal win the Euro 2024 and Argentina lift the Copa America, we will witness the next edition of the “Finalissima” featuring these two football legends.
The “Finalissima” is an intercontinental football match played between the winners of the European Championships and the winners of Copa America after the signing of a memorandum of understanding between CONMEBOL and UEFA.
Given that both the Portuguese and Albiceleste are among the favorites to lift their respective continental competitions this year, one final meeting between two footballing icons is a genuine possibility.
In the last “Finalissima”, Argentina beat Italy 3-0 at Wembley Stadium. Football fans around the world undoubtedly wish that Portugal and Argentina lift their respective competitions this season so that we can witness one final dance of Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo.
However, there is no official confirmation about the next edition of “Finalissima” and the scheduling of the new 2025 FIFA Club World Cup adds to its complexity.
Mohd Faisal Hakak is a sports author from Kashmir. He likes to keep tabs on the sporting world with a keen interest in football, motorsports, NBA, and other marquee sports. He is a science graduate from Islamia College Srinagar.
