đź“‚ CategorĂa: Football,World Cup | đź“… Fecha: 1781971345
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Just when you thought it was beginning to simmer, the Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi debate has once again reignited.
However, this time it appears that the choice is a pretty straightforward one.
Well, that’s according to talkSPORT’s Rory Jennings who was scathing in his assessment of the 41-year-old.
It’s fair to say that Ronaldo’s start to the World Cup hasn’t exactly been one he would have hoped for.
Portugal’s 1-1 draw with DR Congo in midweek saw the forward firmly in the firing line as the Selecao offered little threat in the final third.
Fans have long been split on Ronaldo’s influence at international level with many believing he is hampering Portugal’s golden crop of young talent and the level of fluidity they are able to play with.
But there appears to be no budging when it comes to his inclusion, not while Roberto Martinez is head coach anyway.
The Spanish boss will step down from his position after the World Cup and that could signal the end of international duty for the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.
Jennings has been left less than impressed by Ronaldo’s output and in particular, the star’s goalscoring exploits at major tournaments.
And so much so, that he has placed a cheeky ÂŁ5,000 bet with Ronaldo fan Piers Morgan that he will not score a goal at the World Cup.
But it is Ronaldo’s overall inclusion that irks Jennings and he believes that Martinez’s persistence in selecting him will ultimately cost Portugal World Cup glory.
Ronaldo, no party
“I think Portugal can win this World Cup but it won’t be because of the brilliance of Cristiano Ronaldo. He will hinder them,” Jennings told talkSPORT.
“I think Ronaldo up front is a major hindrance. He is a spent force. He was a spent force in Qatar (2022 World Cup).
“When did he last score in a World Cup? When did he score in a competitive tournament for Portugal? You’re looking at ten games ago, something like that?
“Lionel Messi has scored nine World Cup goals since Ronaldo last scored at the World Cup.
“He’s not a natural finisher like he was. He was once arguably the best finisher to ever live. You could make a case.
“But he’s not now. Robbie Fowler is one of the most natural finishers but I don’t want him up front for England either.
The debate between football’s greatest duo in the modern era has come under the microscope just one week into the tournament.
Ronaldo’s difficulties have been further highlighted by Messi’s stunning hattrick in Argentina’s 3-0 win over Algeria and Jenning’s claims that the past week is enough proof to finally end football’s longest-running debate.
“This World Cup has proved one thing. It’s never ever been more apparent that if you believe Cristiano Ronaldo is the second best player that’s ever lived and Lionel Messi is the first, the disparity between the two has never been bigger in any sport,” he added.
“When [Roger] Federer was the best tennis player and [Rafael] Nadal was the second best, there was something quite close about it, there was some rivalry.
“Lionel Messi is first, Cristiano Ronaldo is second. Ronaldo has more in common with whoever is tenth rather than first.
“Messi plays a completely different sport to Ronaldo. They aren’t equal sportsmen, they don’t see the game in the same way. They don’t do the same thing, they don’t play the same game.
“One is still good and one has become bad.”
Ronaldo fans… look away now
Jennings signed off with a further dig at Ronaldo and compared him to the current crop of England internationals.
“He’s not better than Ollie Watkins,” Jennings claimed.
“If Cristiano Ronaldo was English, I’d have Danny Welbeck ahead of him. He doesn’t get in the England team.
“Dominic Calvert -Lewin is a better footballer today than Ronaldo.
“I don’t think Ronaldo should be in any team.”
Just when you thought it was beginning to simmer, the Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi debate has once again reignited.
However, this time it appears that the choice is a pretty straightforward one.
Well, that’s according to talkSPORT’s Rory Jennings who was scathing in his assessment of the 41-year-old.
It’s fair to say that Ronaldo’s start to the World Cup hasn’t exactly been one he would have hoped for.
Portugal’s 1-1 draw with DR Congo in midweek saw the forward firmly in the firing line as the Selecao offered little threat in the final third.
Fans have long been split on Ronaldo’s influence at international level with many believing he is hampering Portugal’s golden crop of young talent and the level of fluidity they are able to play with.
But there appears to be no budging when it comes to his inclusion, not while Roberto Martinez is head coach anyway.
The Spanish boss will step down from his position after the World Cup and that could signal the end of international duty for the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.
Jennings has been left less than impressed by Ronaldo’s output and in particular, the star’s goalscoring exploits at major tournaments.
And so much so, that he has placed a cheeky ÂŁ5,000 bet with Ronaldo fan Piers Morgan that he will not score a goal at the World Cup.
But it is Ronaldo’s overall inclusion that irks Jennings and he believes that Martinez’s persistence in selecting him will ultimately cost Portugal World Cup glory.
Ronaldo, no party
“I think Portugal can win this World Cup but it won’t be because of the brilliance of Cristiano Ronaldo. He will hinder them,” Jennings told talkSPORT.
“I think Ronaldo up front is a major hindrance. He is a spent force. He was a spent force in Qatar (2022 World Cup).
“When did he last score in a World Cup? When did he score in a competitive tournament for Portugal? You’re looking at ten games ago, something like that?
“Lionel Messi has scored nine World Cup goals since Ronaldo last scored at the World Cup.
“He’s not a natural finisher like he was. He was once arguably the best finisher to ever live. You could make a case.
“But he’s not now. Robbie Fowler is one of the most natural finishers but I don’t want him up front for England either.
The debate between football’s greatest duo in the modern era has come under the microscope just one week into the tournament.
Ronaldo’s difficulties have been further highlighted by Messi’s stunning hattrick in Argentina’s 3-0 win over Algeria and Jenning’s claims that the past week is enough proof to finally end football’s longest-running debate.
“This World Cup has proved one thing. It’s never ever been more apparent that if you believe Cristiano Ronaldo is the second best player that’s ever lived and Lionel Messi is the first, the disparity between the two has never been bigger in any sport,” he added.
“When [Roger] Federer was the best tennis player and [Rafael] Nadal was the second best, there was something quite close about it, there was some rivalry.
“Lionel Messi is first, Cristiano Ronaldo is second. Ronaldo has more in common with whoever is tenth rather than first.
“Messi plays a completely different sport to Ronaldo. They aren’t equal sportsmen, they don’t see the game in the same way. They don’t do the same thing, they don’t play the same game.
“One is still good and one has become bad.”
Ronaldo fans… look away now
Jennings signed off with a further dig at Ronaldo and compared him to the current crop of England internationals.
“He’s not better than Ollie Watkins,” Jennings claimed.
“If Cristiano Ronaldo was English, I’d have Danny Welbeck ahead of him. He doesn’t get in the England team.
“Dominic Calvert -Lewin is a better footballer today than Ronaldo.
“I don’t think Ronaldo should be in any team.”
đź’ˇ Puntos Clave
- Este artĂculo cubre aspectos importantes sobre Football,World Cup
- InformaciĂłn verificada y traducida de fuente confiable
- Contenido actualizado y relevante para nuestra audiencia
đź“š InformaciĂłn de la Fuente
| đź“° PublicaciĂłn: | talksport.com |
| ✍️ Autor: | Lee Davey |
| đź“… Fecha Original: | 2026-06-20 15:07:00 |
| đź”— Enlace: | Ver artĂculo original |
Nota de transparencia: Este artĂculo ha sido traducido y adaptado del inglĂ©s al español para facilitar su comprensiĂłn. El contenido se mantiene fiel a la fuente original, disponible en el enlace proporcionado arriba.
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