The talk over Lionel Messi’s future on the 2026 World Cup continues to collect depth, and this week it took a dramatic twist. FIFA president Gianni Infantino, talking on the 2025 Ole Summit, delivered a daring message about Messi’s place in soccer historical past. But the assertion was shrouded in thriller, launched by means of a curious five-word declare that Infantino highlighted, astonishingly overlooking an equally historic actuality involving Cristiano Ronaldo. The omission has since sparked dialogue throughout the worldwide sport and raised questions on what the governing physique really expects from two of its largest icons.
Infantino used the Ole Summit platform to reward Argentina’s consistency and excellence, providing heat phrases for a aspect that, in keeping with him, has “maintained such a excessive customary over an prolonged interval.” In feedback reproduced by TyC Sports activities, the FIFA chief mentioned: “Congratulations to the Argentine nationwide staff for sustaining such a excessive customary over an prolonged interval and efficiently qualifying for the 2026 North American World Cup.”
He continued by stressing his want to see Messi prolong his record-breaking journey. “I hope Messi can take part in his sixth World Cup, which might convey pleasure to everybody,” he mentioned. The emphasis was placing not only for its admiration but in addition for its ambition. Messi, now 38, has featured in 5 consecutive World Cups, starting in 2006 and culminating together with his crowning glory in Qatar 2022. Infantino not solely celebrated that run—he elevated it.
Later within the occasion, Infantino shifted his focus to Messi’s affect in america, calling the Inter Miami ahead “a acknowledged and revered idol” in a sporting panorama historically dominated by American soccer, basketball, and baseball. What he added subsequent turned the middle of intrigue: “I sit up for seeing Leo Messi play in his sixth World Cup. That is an unprecedented occasion, which solely confirms the historic nature of subsequent 12 months’s World Cup.”
Lionel Messi and Gianni Infantino
Via the five-word declare – “That is an unprecedented occasion” — Infantino’s level was crystal clear. Messi reaching a sixth World Cup can be a singular second in soccer historical past. Or wouldn’t it?
Cristiano Ronaldo: The forgotten sixth look
As a result of virtually concurrently, and with far much less fanfare from FIFA’s prime workplace, Cristiano Ronaldo secured qualification for his personal sixth World Cup. Portugal’s 9-1 victory over Armenia ensured their spot on the 2026 match. Ronaldo, suspended after a purple card towards Eire, was not on the pitch, but his path towards the sixth look was confirmed.
Whereas Infantino painted Messi’s potential participation as unmatched, actuality tells one other story. Ronaldo not solely matched Messi’s tally—he’s on observe to play his personal record-setting sixth World Cup, having already declared that 2026 will likely be his final.
The Portuguese ahead has remained clear about his timeline. In a current look, he mentioned, “Positively, sure. I’m gonna be 41 years previous, and I feel will probably be the second.” The suspension that at the moment hangs over him—probably two or three matches—doesn’t have an effect on qualification and won’t be served in friendlies. Portugal’s work is finished, and Ronaldo is heading to the worldwide stage once more.
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal
Two legends, one stage, and an surprising distinction
The distinction is stark: Infantino framed Messi’s potential sixth look as historic, distinctive, and unprecedented, but Ronaldo has concurrently reached the identical milestone. Portugal’s qualification ensures that subsequent summer time, if each superstars stay match, the world will witness one thing by no means earlier than seen—two icons, every of their sixth World Cup, taking part in aspect by aspect in a match collectively hosted by america, Canada, and Mexico.
The Argentine not too long ago known as the 1994 World Cup a turning level for American soccer, including in earlier interviews that the 2026 version “will likely be one thing extraordinary.” His significance within the U.S. continues to develop, each commercially and culturally.
Ronaldo, in the meantime, retains including layers to his legacy. Already the European Championship winner, Nations League champion, and main scorer in World Cup qualifying historical past, he stands prepared to increase a world profession whose longevity edges into the legendary.
