FANHQ26
The Last Dance
Messi · Ronaldo · WC 2026

One last
World Cup.

Two icons. Twenty years at the top. The 2026 World Cup is — barring a miracle of longevity — the final summer for Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldoon football's biggest stage. Everything they've done. Side by side. One last time.

/// Share The Last Dance
Lionel Andrés Messi in international action
Argentina · #10

Messi

The defending champion. The career arc complete in Qatar. Now one last tournament, age 38, to write the impossible coda.

WC goals
13
WC apps
26
Titles
1 🏆
Ballons d'Or
8
Country goals
112
Age in 2026
39
Argentina schedule →Shareable poster →
Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro in international action
Portugal · #7

Ronaldo

Five World Cups. One ring he never wore. Age 41 in the summer of 2026 — one final shot at the missing trophy.

WC goals
8
WC apps
22
Titles
0
Ballons d'Or
5
Country goals
138
Age in 2026
41
Portugal schedule →Shareable poster →

Photos: Кирилл Венедиктов · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0

/// Head to head

Career, side by side

Open versus poster →
5
World Cups played
5
26
WC appearances
22
13
WC goals
8
8
WC assists
1
1
WC titles
0
2
Golden Balls
0
8
Ballons d'Or
5
112
Country goals
138
191
Country caps
218
870
Career club goals
920
38
Age at WC 2026
41
/// Messi's World Cups

5 tournaments. 13 goals.

  1. 2006
    age 18
    GermanyQuarter-final
    3 apps1 goals1 assists

    Youngest Argentine to score at a World Cup.

  2. 2010
    age 22
    South AfricaQuarter-final
    5 apps0 goals1 assists

    Hit the woodwork; ran the show but no goal.

  3. 2014
    age 26
    BrazilFinal
    7 apps4 goals1 assists

    Won the Golden Ball; lost the final to Germany.

  4. 2018
    age 30
    RussiaRound of 16
    4 apps1 goals2 assists

    Iconic chest-and-volley vs Nigeria.

  5. 2022
    age 35
    QatarChampion 🏆
    7 apps7 goals3 assists

    Won it all. Golden Ball. Lifted the trophy in Lusail.

/// Ronaldo's World Cups

5 tournaments. 8 goals.

  1. 2006
    age 21
    GermanySemi-final
    6 apps1 goals0 assists

    Penalty vs England; Portugal's fourth-place finish.

  2. 2010
    age 25
    South AfricaRound of 16
    4 apps1 goals0 assists

    First WC goal vs North Korea (7–0).

  3. 2014
    age 29
    BrazilGroup stage
    3 apps1 goals1 assists

    Knee injury; Portugal eliminated in groups.

  4. 2018
    age 33
    RussiaRound of 16
    4 apps4 goals0 assists

    Hat-trick vs Spain — one of the great WC performances.

  5. 2022
    age 37
    QatarQuarter-final
    5 apps1 goals0 assists

    Became the first man to score at five World Cups.

/// Your call

Who's the GOAT?

One last World Cup decides it. Cast your vote — we'll reveal the global tally after.

FAQ

Is the 2026 World Cup Messi's last World Cup?
Almost certainly. Lionel Messi turns 39 a week into the tournament. He has publicly said 2022 was likely his last, but his form and Argentina's title defense have kept the door open for one final appearance.
Is the 2026 World Cup Ronaldo's last World Cup?
Yes — Cristiano Ronaldo will be 41 by the summer of 2026 and has confirmed it will be his fifth and final World Cup. He's the first man to score at five different World Cups; he's chasing the one trophy missing from his cabinet.
Who has more World Cup goals — Messi or Ronaldo?
Lionel Messi leads on World Cup goals (13) and World Cup appearances (26). Cristiano Ronaldo has 8 World Cup goals across his five tournaments.
When do Argentina and Portugal play at the 2026 World Cup?
Argentina open in Group J alongside Algeria, Austria and Jordan. Portugal lead Group K with DR Congo, Uzbekistan and Colombia. Tap each player's card for their group, fixtures and the schedule in your timezone.