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Former Portuguese defender Bruno Alves has implored Portuguese players to emulate Lionel Messi's Argentina and help Cristiano Ronaldo win the FIFA World Cup before his retirement. Alves has shared the pitch with the Portuguese superstar for a total of 87 times across 15 seasons.
Widely considered one of the greatest players to have ever played the game, Cristiano Ronaldo is lauded for his athleticism and penchant for scoring goals. He has racked up 216 goals in 135 games for Portugal - the most by a player in men's international football.
However, the one trophy that is missing from his cabinet is the FIFA World Cup. Despite participating in five consecutive World Cups, Ronaldo has failed to take his side beyond the quarter-finals even once.
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Speaking about Cristiano Ronaldo's retirement, Bruno Alves narrated what a dream retirement for the five-time Ballon d'Or winner would look like. He said (quoted by A Bola):
"Cristiano has always raised the flag and our country, and that is why I think the Portuguese national team and the Portuguese people should do everything they can to make him world champion."
Alves cited the example of what the Argentina team did for Lionel Messi to help him win the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
"That is what I saw, an example I saw in Argentina, making Messi world champion. I saw their players dedicated, committed, to making him world champion and I would like to see Portugal, the Portuguese team, do the same," commented the former defender.
La Pulga lost four major finals with La Albiceleste before winning his first trophy with the senior side (excluding the 2008 Beijing Olympics). Messi and his team finally got through the barrier by winning the 2021 Copa America. They followed it up with the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the 2024 Copa America.
When Wes Brown implored Cristiano Ronaldo to go head-to-head with Lionel Messi one last time
Former Manchester United star Wes Brown recently implored Cristiano Ronaldo to move to MLS and re-ignite his rivalry with Lionel Messi. Ronaldo's contract with Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr expires at the end of this season, and Brown reckoned that the Portuguese superstar will not hang up his boots soon.
In an interview with Sports Daily, Brown said:
“Cristiano Ronaldo has to go to America, especially given that Lionel Messi is there as well. I’ve seen Ronaldo play a few times and it’s been a good standard, he is scoring goals and looking so fit for his age, still sprinting at 40."
Continuing the comparison, Brown said:
""He has been to a few places now and I’d love to see him add America to the list. He has been scoring more goals than Messi of late and it would be great to see them go head-to-head again."
Both players boast impressive stats despite being at the twilight of their respective careers. This season, Ronaldo has already scored 17 goals and recorded three assists in 20 club games across competitions. The diminutive Argentine, meanwhile, racked up 23 goals and 13 assists in 25 games, helping Inter Miami lift their maiden MLS Supporters Shield.
