I think most footballing scribes are done with the Messi-Ronaldo debate. It is a topic that feels as old as time itself (I’m reminded of the serpent-like ouroboros that feeds on itself, signifying the continuous cycle of life).
Full disclosure: I’m a Messi man myself. But I’m not going to use this platform to preach the Messi gospel, both sides have chosen their respective idols and it’s nigh-on impossible to convert anyone. Both players have compelling narratives that place them firmly in the GOAT conversation (I apologize for using that overplayed acronym). But I can’t help but draw a comparison between the way both players are riding- or nor riding- into the international sunset.
The dignified approach
Let’s start off with a textbook example of how an icon should take his leave. Argentinian demigod Lionel Messi immortalized himself into footballing folklore in 2022, claiming the elusive World Cup that silenced all the bitter naysayers. At 35 years of age, that would have been the ultimate mic-drop moment for Messi to bow out of international football. But he wasn’t done yet, guiding Argentina to the 2024 Copa America title before almost singlehandedly winning a 2nd World Cup earlier this year. Sure, the Argentinian side had to compensate for his lack of backtracking. But he honoured his half of that Faustian bargain, scoring vital goals while looking just as content being the playmaker extraordinaire.
One for the fans
Messi got a chance to take a symbolic victory-lap in front of his adoring home fans this week, playing a pivotal role in Argentina’s 3-0 friendly victory over Benin. The match was really a distillation of all things Messi (minus the long-range free kick). He toyed with the Benin defence, picking up two assists while scoring an obligatory penalty. I don’t think people realize just how rare it is for a 39-year-old outfield player to continually be the standout player. In any event, it was the perfect, emotionally tinged sendoff for a player who has given his all for his country and knew it was the right time to usher in the new era.
Defying Father Time
Cristiano Ronaldo should have taken a leaf out of the Messi playbook. Sure, he doesn’t possess the grandstanding World Cup moment to comfortably fall back on. But few can deny CR7’s contributions to Portuguese football. He helped turn a perennially underachieving set of players into tournament contenders, winning the Euros in 2016 before claiming two Nations League titles (for what they are worth). But that pitiful 2022 World Cup quarterfinal exit to Morocco should have been the end to Ronaldo’s career. It wouldn’t have had the storybook quality of Messi’s denouement. But that’s just football. Lest we forget, Ronaldo scored just one goal during the 2022 World Cup (a penalty against Ghana). There was even a natural successor in the wings, with Ramos’ hat-trick against Switzerland offering a tantalizing glimpse of the future. Not on Ronaldo’s watch.
The aging alpha
I alluded to the ouroboros earlier, stating that the Messi-Ronaldo debate will remain an eternal self-sustaining machine. You could also use the ouroboros analogy to sum up the ego of one Cristiano Ronaldo. This is a man who seemingly can’t conceive of himself as a mortal being. Why should he? He pushed his body to never-before-seen levels of physical perfection to prolong his career. He also has a network of sycophants- Piers Morgan chief amongst them- who seem to indulge his worst egomaniacal delusions. That heady brew of vanity, accomplishments and a parasocial support system have helped create an engine of pure unvarnished ego. The only reality is his reality. And in his reality, Cristiano Ronaldo is still the No.1 player in the world. It is the factory setting of his persona, and the one that gave him the impetus to get where he got. But lord, are we seeing the ugly side of that equation now.
The thing about being a role-model for the next generation is that you must conceive of yourself as belonging to a past one. Ronaldo can’t do that; therefore, he has nothing to offer the younger players coming through. Roberto Martinez was far too accommodating of Ronaldo’s tyrannical ego, stoking his own funeral pyre with his ‘belief’ in CR7. What this talented Portuguese team needed was someone who could come in and do the very thing that Ronaldo is psychically incapable of doing: accept reality. Enter stage-right: Jorge Jesus.
In Jesus we trust
The new 72-year-old coach of the Portuguese national coach marks a hard-right turn from the media-savvy, political brinkmanship of Roberto Martinez. He is a straight-talking disciplinarian right out of the old school. That is exactly the type of attitude that Portugal need to get themselves out of his protracted hostage situation. Jesus has claimed- rightfully so- that he is the manager, and nobody has a right to dictate who plays and who doesn’t. This all came to a head after Ronaldo was left incandescent after being left as an unused substitute against Norway. The great icon never pointed to the fact that Portugal picked up a massive win in Norway, with successor Ramos scoring a late equalizer. But hey, the results aren’t important; his precious feelings are at stake.
Ronaldo storms off
Ronaldo released a very revealing (and not in the way he thinks) statement about how Jesus betrayed his trust after he promised him game-time. He basically refused the manager’s appeal to him to remain in Portugal while they went on the two-leg away trip to Norway and Denmark. Refused. He is a player. Sure, he has been an endless reservoir of commercial growth for the Portuguese side. But he should never be the one dictating the terms of his involvement. It’s as if he considers himself a deity that needs constant worship and sacrifice. Ronaldo’s promptly left the Portuguese squad during their training camp in Copenhagen. The battlelines were drawn.
A battle of wills
Yeah, perhaps Jesus told him a little white lie somewhere along the way. But how else to you deal with a 41-year-old, multi-billionaire man-baby? Ronaldo told him he didn’t want to go ahead with his plan. Maybe Jesus did this on purpose, knowing that a full-blown temper-tantrum would expose CR7 for what he really is. If so, congratulations. The only people in Ronaldo’s corner right now are the full-blown Piers Morgan-level lickspittles, whose entire identities are unhealthily tied to Ronaldo’s happiness. Pathetic. Ronaldo is still living in an alternate reality, stating that he will be available for selection in the final two Nations League matches in November. Bro, read the room. Portugal won all four of their Nations League matches, becoming the first team to qualify for this year’s quarterfinals, despite you. Also, replacement Ramos is emerging as a big-time player, scoring crucial late goals while leading the line with intensity (Ronaldo’s pointless air-traffic controlling may be a thing of the past). This is like watching modern Steven Seagal amble around in one of his awful c-grade movies: not a pretty sight.
