Lionel Messi has fired back at Cristiano Ronaldo’s recent comments downplaying the importance of winning the World Cup.

In an interview held in Florida, the Inter Miami superstar emphasized that becoming a world champion represents the pinnacle of football — the greatest achievement any player can reach in their career.

For more than 15 years, Messi and Ronaldo have been the defining figures of world football, fueling an unprecedented rivalry in terms of titles, records, and global influence. Though both have now left Europe — Ronaldo playing for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia and Messi for Inter Miami in the United States — the debate over who is the greatest of all time has never cooled down.

For many fans, that debate was effectively settled in 2022, when Messi finally lifted the coveted World Cup trophy with Argentina. In a nail-biting final against France that ended 3-3 after 120 minutes, Messi scored twice and inspired his team to victory in the penalty shootout — capping off a glorious journey that had spanned nearly two decades.

           The Argentine star has won both the Copa América and the World Cup.

Meanwhile, Ronaldo has also enjoyed glorious moments with his national team, having won the Euro 2016 title and twice lifted the UEFA Nations League trophy. However, the World Cup dream remains unfulfilled. When Portugal was eliminated by Morocco in the quarterfinals of the 2022 World Cup, Ronaldo left the pitch in tears, his hopes of achieving the greatest dream of his career shattered. On Instagram, he admitted that winning the World Cup had been his biggest ambition and lifelong desire — one he ultimately couldn’t achieve.

Yet in a recent appearance on Piers Morgan Uncensored, Ronaldo expressed a different view, suggesting that titles alone do not define a player’s legacy.

“If you ask me whether winning the World Cup is my dream — no, it’s not,” he said. “And is it fair to judge who the best player in the world is based on six or seven matches? I don’t think so.”

His comments sparked widespread debate, prompting a heartfelt response from Messi, who has faced Ronaldo countless times throughout his career. Speaking at the American Business Forum in Florida, the Argentine icon stated that winning the World Cup represents “the absolute pinnacle” of a footballer’s career.

“Honestly, it’s hard to put that feeling into words,” Messi said. “That title wasn’t just for me — it was for my family, my teammates, and the entire nation of Argentina. Everyone saw how our people lived in pure joy, pride, and happiness after that victory.”

                                        Ronaldo has never won the World Cup.

He added: “For me, the World Cup is the ultimate milestone — the final piece that completes a career. After that, there’s nothing bigger to chase. I’ve achieved everything at the club level, from the Champions League to the Ballon d’Or, and I’ve won the Copa America with my national team. But only when I touch the World Cup trophy will I feel that my career is truly complete.”

Messi’s statement was seen as a gentle yet profound response to his friend — and longtime rival. While Ronaldo emphasized that glory shouldn’t be measured solely by trophies, Messi views the World Cup title as a well-deserved reward for persistence and passion. Their perspectives clearly reflect the contrasting philosophies and journeys of two of the greatest legends in modern football.

Earlier in his interview with Piers Morgan, Ronaldo also admitted that he still considers himself the greatest player of all time, though he deeply respects Messi. “Is Messi better than me? I don’t think so. I’m being honest. I don’t want to be humble here,” Ronaldo said confidently.

                              Messi has won eight Ballon d’Or awards, while Ronaldo has five.

Even in the twilight of their careers, both legends show no signs of stopping. At 38, Messi continues to display remarkable form with Inter Miami, recently reaching the milestone of 400 career assists. Meanwhile, 40-year-old Ronaldo keeps finding the back of the net regularly in the Saudi Pro League, proving his extraordinary endurance and passion for the game.

Neither Messi nor Ronaldo has ruled out the possibility of appearing at the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in North America. If that happens, fans could be treated to one more chance to witness the two icons of an era sharing football’s grandest stage — perhaps for the last time.

No matter how long the “Messi vs. Ronaldo” debate lasts, both will forever remain living legends — players who redefined what greatness means in football. And perhaps, as Messi once said, the most important thing is not just the trophies, but the journey itself — the joy of living fully with passion and giving everything for the beautiful game.