Ronaldo insists World Cup won’t define his legacy

November 6, 2025 Oliver Obel

Cristiano Ronaldo says his football legacy will not depend on whether he equals Lionel Messi’s World Cup success, insisting that a single tournament cannot decide who is “one of the best in history.”

The Portugal captain’s comments mark a shift from previous remarks, when he described lifting the trophy as a lifelong dream. Now 40, the Al-Nassr forward appears more reflective as he prepares for what could be his final World Cup next summer.

The Endless Debate

For nearly two decades, the rivalry between Ronaldo and Messi has defined world football. Both men are now in the twilight of their careers—Ronaldo chasing success in Saudi Arabia, while Messi winds down at Inter Miami in the U.S.

Many fans regard the Argentine playmaker as the sport’s greatest of all time after he led his country to victory in Qatar in 2022. But Ronaldo told Piers Morgan Uncensored that his legacy should not hinge on one tournament.

“If you ask me, Cristiano, is it a dream to win the World Cup? No, it’s not a dream,” he said in a preview clip released ahead of Thursday’s broadcast on TalkTV. “To define if I’m one of the best in history by winning one competition of six or seven games—you think it’s fair?”

Revisiting old dreams

Ronaldo’s latest remarks contrast sharply with his emotional response after Portugal’s quarter-final exit to Morocco at the 2022 World Cup. At the time, he posted on Instagram that winning the tournament had been the “biggest and most ambitious dream” of his career.

According to Reuters, the striker reflected on his five World Cup appearances spanning 16 years, writing that he had “fought hard” to achieve that goal and “left everything on the field.” The post, seen by millions, was widely interpreted as a farewell to his World Cup ambitions.

Yet with Portugal qualified again, Ronaldo seems ready for another chance—albeit with a different outlook.

Pride and rivalry

Messi’s triumph with Argentina remains the ultimate benchmark for many football fans. The Barcelona legend’s World Cup victory in 2022 capped a glittering career that includes multiple Ballon d’Ors and club trophies.

Ronaldo, however, remains confident in his own standing. When asked directly by Morgan whether Messi was the greatest, he replied, “Is Messi better than me? I disagree. I don’t want to be humble.”

The bold remark reignited debate across social media, with fans and pundits again comparing the two icons’ records and styles. Still, both players are likely to retire as two of the game’s most decorated and influential figures.

One last chance

Portugal has never reached a World Cup final, and Ronaldo has made no secret of his desire to change that. The team’s triumphs at Euro 2016 and the 2019 Nations League remain career highlights, but the absence of a world title still looms large.

Even if Ronaldo insists his legacy is already secure, another deep run next summer could reshape how his story is told. Whatever happens in his final World Cup chapter, the debate over his place in football history is unlikely to end anytime soon.

Sources: Reuters, BBC, Sky Sports, Piers Morgan Uncensored