Overview
- Ronaldo debunked claims that Messi has slowed down by highlighting his ability to sprint 30 to 40 metres to recover possession
- The 38-year-old forward has recorded a club-record sequence of braces for Inter Miami this season
- Messi has not announced his international retirement, leaving open the possibility of his participation in the 2026 World Cup
- Argentina and Brazil have already secured qualification for the tournament, allowing coach Lionel Scaloni to rotate his squad in the remaining CONMEBOL fixtures
- Ronaldo believes Messi’s presence will give Argentina a significant edge over rival nations in the United States, Canada and Mexico