Lionel Messi (39) and Cristiano Ronaldo (41) are still engaged in their long-distance duel for the crown of soccer after all these years - and on two consecutive World Cup evenings, both make history once again. After Messi became the sole World Cup top scorer in Argentina's 2-0 victory over Austria, Ronaldo crowned himself the following day in Portugal's 5-0 win against Uzbekistan as the first player to score at six different World Cups.
"I'm back"
"I'm back! I'm back!", Cristiano Ronaldo roared into the cameras after the final whistle of the group stage match. After the failed start (1-1 against DR Congo) and days of criticism for weak performances, he was under particular scrutiny against Uzbekistan - and responded in his own way. The 41-year-old scored twice: making it 1-0 after six minutes and 3-0 in the 39th minute, his tenth World Cup goal overall. With that, he surpassed Portuguese legend Eusébio and is now his country's all-time leading scorer.
With his two goals, Ronaldo also claimed three additional records. He is now the first player ever to score at six World Cup finals (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026). At 41 years, four months and 18 days, he is also the oldest player to score twice in a World Cup match and Portugal's oldest goalscorer. "It's naturally nice when you achieve a record. But the goal is something completely different: I want to help the team. We want to win together and go far, far", "CR7" said modestly afterwards according to MagentaTV.
On Instagram, Ronaldo celebrated his team's victory with two photos, showing him once alone performing his signature goal celebration and once with the team. "We are here!", he emphasized. With four points, Portugal is virtually certain to advance to the round of 16. His post collected over 21 million likes in 12 hours.
Messi delights with private romantic happiness
The day before, Ronaldo's eternal rival Messi had experienced his big moment. He scored the 1-0 against Austria in the 38th minute and added the final touch for the 2-0 in stoppage time (90+5), after having even missed a penalty kick early on. With now 18 World Cup goals, the superstar moved past Miroslav Klose (48, 16 goals) two days before his 39th birthday, with whom he had previously shared the record. Klose took the loss of his record with humor and respect: "Lionel Messi is the best soccer player of all time for me! Congratulations, champion!"
But Messi had reason to celebrate that evening not only for his entry in the history books. His wife Antonela Roccuzzo (38), to whom he has been married for nine years, dedicated a public declaration of love to him on Instagram: "What a privilege to see you make history again and again", she wrote alongside a photo with their three sons at the stadium. "I love you!!!" The post has collected around six million likes so far.
The two exceptional players can't take a long breather: Both continue on Sunday. Ronaldo is expected to secure Portugal's advancement once and for all with a match against Colombia in Miami - the game starts at 1:30 a.m. local time. On the same day, Messi also takes the field again with Argentina, facing Jordan in Dallas (4 a.m.). The Albiceleste, however, has already secured qualification for the knockout round with two victories - all five goals naturally scored by Messi.
