Ronaldo begged for Messi not to win the World Cup

Cristiano Ronaldo's shocking admission that he once prayed for Lionel Messi not to win the 2014 World Cup has reignited the greatest rivalry in modern football history.

According to a revelation from Marca in a new documentary about Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese superstar made a striking confession: he prayed that Lionel Messi would not become World Cup champion. The 2014 World Cup.

In the film, Ronaldo candidly shared his feelings watching Messi and Argentina fall short in the 2014 World Cup final. He even admitted to praying that Argentina would fail to claim the title on Brazilian soil. The final match ended with Germany winning 1-0 after extra time, bringing a sense of "relief" to Ronaldo, according to his own words.

This confession instantly reignited the decade-long rivalry between the two biggest icons of contemporary football. Ronaldo and Messi have alternated in dominating individual awards, continuously breaking records once thought unbreakable, and together shaping a unique era in world football. In this context, the World Cup has always been regarded as the ultimate piece to complete each player’s legacy.

If Messi's 2014 defeat once gave Ronaldo a sense of reassurance, eight years later, the situation completely reversed. In December 2022 in Qatar, Messi finally lifted the most prestigious golden trophy in the world alongside Argentina. The 2022 World Cup finalbecame one of the most dramatic showdowns in history when Argentina and France drew 3-3 after 120 minutes, before Argentina triumphed 4-2 in the penalty shootout.

The 2022 golden trophy is widely seen as a decisive statement in the debate over the greatest player of all time. However, the rivalry between Ronaldo and Messi has never been just about the number of titles. It is also a story of two contrasting styles, two different but extraordinary career paths. Now, Ronaldo’s confession only deepens the endless comparisons.

For Ronaldo personally, the journey is not over. In his forties, the Portuguese superstar still hopes to conquer the pinnacle at the 2026 World Cup with the national team, where he could write the final chapter of his illustrious career.