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Fans were divided on their opinion between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo after the Argentine legend missed two big chances against Canada. Despite the misses, Argentina started their Copa America 2024 campaign with a 2-0 win over Canada on Thursday, June 20.
Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez scored the two goals, with Messi assisting the latter in the 88th minute with a silky through ball into the penalty box.
The internet had mixed reactions to Messi's performance. While many lauded the Inter Miami superstar for creating big chances and assisting the crucial second goal, others considered it underwhelming and criticized him for missing two one-on-one chances.
Here are some of the reactions:
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"Lionel Messi can’t go a game without G/A. Can’t say same for Ronaldo," a fan wrote.
"After squandering many chances. Mini 🐐," another said.
"lol he should've scored 3 🤣🤣" another wrote.
Meanwhile, many were in awe of the Argentine great's performance and lauded him for creating five big chances and bagging one assist.
"A 36-year-old Lionel Messi on a bad night. An assist and FIVE big chances created. He’s not real," one noted.
"Lionel Messi with 1 massive key pass at the 1-0, and now with the assist at the 2-0, could have scored a goal too but what a GREAT start to this Copa América tournament!" one said.
"Ronaldo in Euros: 1 Game, 0 G/A, Messi in Copa America: 1 Game, 1 G/A," another pointed out with a reaction image.
"18 Copa America assists for Messi," the official MLS account lauded.
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo's international career in numbers
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are currently representing their countries in the Copa America and the Euro, respectively.
Messi is eyeing an international treble with Argentina in the 2024 Copa America after winning the 2021 Copa and the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Meanwhile, Ronaldo has admitted that he dreams of winning the Euros with Portugal again after success in the 2016 edition.
Both players have sensational statistics for their countries on the international stage. In 183 appearances for Argentina, Messi has scored 108 goals and provided 58 assists.
Ronaldo is ahead of Messi in terms of goals scored, with the 39-year-old registering 130 goals and 46 assists in 208 appearances for Portugal.
In the Copa America, Messi has bagged 13 goals and 18 assists in 35 appearances. He has the highest number of assists in the competition. In comparison, Ronaldo has 14 goals and nine assists to his name in the Euros in 26 appearances. He is the highest goal scorer in the history of the tournament.
In the World Cup, Messi has an edge over Ronaldo. The eight-time Ballon D'or winner has 13 goals and eight assists in 26 World Cup games. In comparison, the Portuguese legend has eight goals and 2 assists to his name across 22 appearances.
Both Messi and Ronaldo are Argentina and Portugal's all-time highest goalscorers, respectively. The Portuguese talisman has won two major international trophies - the 2016 Euro and the 2019 UEFA Nations League.
Messi has won three international trophies with Argentina - the 2021 Copa America the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the 2022 Finallisima.
