"My pick to win" - When Jake Paul made bold FIFA World Cup predictions involving Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo

Heavyweight boxing star Jake Paul had made bold predictions involving Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo regarding the 2022 FIFA World Cup. His predictions came a week before the final where Argentina beat France 4-2 on penalties to win the World Cup.

Paul recently made headlines after defeating the legendary Mike Tyson in a fight on November 15. Paul holds a 10-1 professional record with seven knockouts. Back in 2022 during the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the boxing champion was keen on Ronaldo's Portugal winning the trophy.

Shortly ahead of the quarter-final between Portugal and Morocco (December 10), Jake Paul made his prediction for the World Cup final on X (formerly Twitter). He wrote:

"My pick to win is Portugal and I love Ronaldo. But I hope it’s Messi Vs. Ronaldo in the final."

Paul's predictions did not come true as Portugal bowed out of the tournament after a 1-0 loss to Morocco in the quarter-finals. It is the farthest Cristiano Ronaldo has gone with Portugal in the World Cup. Meanwhile, Lionel Messi's Argentina continued their dream run as they beat the Netherlands in the quarter-finals (4-3 on penalties). They then beat Croatia 3-0 in the semi-finals before facing France in the final.

After a 3-3 draw in the final, La Albiceleste won the World Cup 4-2 on penalties. Lionel Messi scored in every knock-out round in the tournament and won his second World Cup golden ball. He had also won the award in the 2014 World Cup, though Argentina had lost 1-0 to Germany in the final.

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Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo: Who has played and won more international finals?

L to R: Ronaldo and Messi - Source: Getty

Lionel Messi has played in nine international finals with Argentina, winning five of them. Messi has played in two World Cup finals, five Copa America finals, the 2022 Finallisima, and the 2008 Olympics final. Among these, he won the 2022 FIFA World Cup final, the 2021 and 2024 Copa America finals, the 2022 Finallisima, and the 2008 Olympics final.

The Argentine legend lost three consecutive finals with La Albiceleste, including the 2014 FIFA World Cup, and the 2015 and 2016 Copa Americas. He won his first major international trophy with Argentina after defeating Brazil 1-0 in the 2021 Copa America final at the Maracana.

Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo has reached three international finals with Portugal, winning two of them. He has featured in two Euro finals (2004 and 2016) and the 2019 UEFA Nations League final.

The Portuguese talisman won the 2016 Euros after beating France 1-0 in extra time. He also won the 2019 UEFA Nations League, beating the Netherlands 1-0 in the final. His only defeat was a 1-0 loss to Greece in the 2004 Euro final.

Cristiano Ronaldo has never scored in any international final. Meanwhile, Lionel Messi scored twice in the 2022 FIFA World Cup final against France.

All data as per Transfermarkt as of 16/11/2024.