If he finally plays, then the 2026 World Cup may watch one of the most exciting duels between the two icons, for the first time and also for the last time in a World Cup. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have never clashed each other in a World Cup match.
There can be two situations which can guide Argentina paly against Portugal in the World Cup quarterfinal and if not, then in the semi-final.
The quarterfinal is scheduled to be held at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, on 11th July while the semifinal has been scheduled on 15th July at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. But for the quarterfinal meeting, Argentina will have to top in the Group J in the first round.
And in the case of second situation, if Argentina tops Group-J, Portugal qualify as a runner-up or one of the third-placed teams then they will be meeting in the last-four of the tournament.
Then Messi and Ronaldo will lock horns in the World Cup semi-finals on 15th July
The venue is one of America’s busiest multi-purpose stadiums, having hosted a Super Bowl in 2019 and staged six matches of the FIFA Club World Cup, including the quarterfinal between Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich, earlier this year.
Messi led Argentina to the World Cup title four years ago, while Ronaldo guided Portugal to its first-ever international trophy, the European Championship, in 2016.







