In a recent interview with Piers Morgan, Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldo stated that he doesn’t need to win a World Cup to prove he’s one of the greatest players in history. The World Cup-winning Argentine forward, Lionel Messi, has now responded to those comments. According to Messi, the World Cup triumph is the ultimate achievement and the “final word” in any player’s career.
In the interview, Ronaldo was asked if winning the World Cup was his dream. He replied, “No, it’s not a dream. If you ask me, ‘Do you need the World Cup to be considered the best in history?’ I would say no. Six or seven matches in one tournament—how can that be a proper way to prove it?”
In response, speaking at the America Business Forum in Florida, Messi reflected on the significance of the World Cup. “The truth is, it’s difficult to explain the feeling of winning the World Cup. On a personal level, in terms of family, teammates, and national pride, it’s something words can’t describe. The celebrations back home in Argentina showed just how monumental it was for us,” Messi shared.
For Messi, winning the World Cup was a defining moment in his career. He described it as “the ultimate success for a player. It’s like reaching the pinnacle of any profession. Once you’ve achieved it, there’s nothing else you could want.” He admitted to feeling fortunate to have already won numerous other titles before, and the World Cup was the final piece to complete his career.
Messi went on to compare the feeling of winning the World Cup to the birth of a child. “I’m not comparing the two directly, but in terms of achievement, it’s like bringing a child into the world,” he said.
This response highlights the immense personal and emotional value that the World Cup holds for Messi, solidifying its place as the ultimate marker of success in football.