Messi vs. Ronaldo: Why Messi Shows He’s a Great Teammate

What Happened in the Argentina vs. Egypt Match

After Argentina made a dramatic comeback to win against Egypt, Lionel Messi showed everyone what a great teammate he is. This looks very different from how his long-time rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, often acts (people sometimes call Ronaldo "egotistical," which means he seems to think a lot about himself).

What Messi Said About His Penalty Miss

Famous soccer reporter Fabrizio Romano shared Messi’s own words:

"I cried because I felt that I let my teammates down because of the penalty I missed… and the way I took it. But thankfully once again, God had something special for me in the end. I’m very happy."

This shows Messi cared more about his team than about himself.

How the Comeback Happened

Here’s what went down in the game:

• Messi missed a penalty (a special kick from the spot) in the 21st minute against Egypt.
• Egypt then scored again, making their lead twice as big.
• But late in the game, these players scored for Argentina (coached by Lionel Scaloni):
  1. Cristian Romero
  2. Messi
  3. Enzo Fernandez

That’s how Argentina won!

Messi’s Penalty Record vs. Ronaldo’s

The Inter Miami player (that’s Messi) actually has a surprisingly weak record for penalty kicks at the World Cup overall:

• Messi: scored only 4 out of 8 penalties in World Cup competitions.
• Ronaldo: scored 4 out of 5 penalties — a better success rate.

Important Point: Even though Ronaldo is better at scoring World Cup penalties, Messi is still seen as the better team player.

Lionel Messi Still Has the Edge Over Cristiano Ronaldo

People will argue forever about who is better, Messi or Ronaldo. But here’s a big reason many put Messi higher:

• Messi won the World Cup in 2022.
• He might win another one this year!
• Ronaldo has never won a World Cup, and at 41 years old (Portugal just got knocked out by Spain), it’s basically confirmed he never will.

Both are near the end of their careers:

• Messi is 39 and plays in MLS (a soccer league in the USA).
• Ronaldo is 41 and plays in the Saudi Pro League for Al-Nassr.

What’s Next for Argentina?

Argentina’s path in the tournament looks like this:

1. Quarter-finals: vs. Switzerland
2. Semi-finals: vs. England or Norway
3. Final (if they win): vs. France, Spain, Morocco, or Belgium

Why Some Fans Think Ronaldo Holds Portugal Back

Many supporters feel Ronaldo is now slowing his team down:

• He did score 3 goals in 5 games this summer (including 2 against Uzbekistan — that’s called a "brace").
• But when Goncalo Ramos plays instead of Ronaldo, Portugal looks faster and more lively.

The Big Picture

It’s still personal opinion who is the better individual player. But because soccer is a team game, Messi caring more about the group is why many rate him above Ronaldo.

Lots of fans were shocked Messi didn’t quit international soccer after 2022. But if he wins a second World Cup? Most would call him the greatest of all time.

Summary

• Messi cried after missing a penalty vs. Egypt because he felt he let teammates down.
• Argentina came back to win with late goals from Romero, Messi, and Fernandez.
• Messi’s World Cup penalty record is worse than Ronaldo’s, but he won the trophy in 2022.
• Ronaldo, 41, is out of the World Cup and likely will never win it.
• Messi’s team-first attitude is why many rank him above Ronaldo.
• A second World Cup would cement Messi as the GOAT (Greatest of All Time).

FAQ

Q: Why did Messi cry after the Egypt game?
A: He missed a penalty and felt he let his teammates down, but he was happy after Argentina won in the end.

Q: Who is better at World Cup penalties, Messi or Ronaldo?
A: Ronaldo has a better rate — 4 out of 5, while Messi made 4 out of 8.

Q: Can Ronaldo still win a World Cup?
A: No, he is 41 and Portugal was knocked out, so it’s all but confirmed he never will.

Q: Why do many fans rate Messi higher than Ronaldo?
A: Because Messi puts the team first, and he has already won a World Cup, which Ronaldo hasn’t.