The World Cup is dominating all sports talk currently, with the NFL offseason putting the league in the background as soccer dominates sports shows. And while the long list of superstars playing the tournament has impressed fans, Lionel Messi remains the main man after another stellar performance.
Robert Griffin III Explains the Differences Between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo
Messi scored two more goals against Austria on Monday. He has now scored 18 World Cup goals, officially becoming the all-time leading goalscorer in the tournament, surpassing the 16 goals scored by retired Germany striker Miroslav Klose.
The celebrations for both of the goals scored by Messi were strong. The superstar player, widely considered one of the greatest in the sport, has always been loved by his Argentina teammates, especially after he finally won his first tournaments with the country in 2021 and 2022.
With Messi breaking yet another record and with Argentina putting their foot forward in their championship defense, former NFL quarterback and current analyst Robert Griffin III couldn’t help but notice the difference in how the two biggest superstars in soccer are celebrated by their teammates.
Messi scored all of Argentina’s five goals in the tournament. Cristiano Ronaldo, on the other hand, struggled massively as Portugal drew 1-1 against DR Congo, a game where the current Nations League winners were heavy favorites.
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Griffin believes that, while Messi’s Argentina teammates love him, Ronaldo’s Portugal teammates don’t hold him in such high regard.
“When you watch Argentina and Portugal, one thing is very clear. Lionel Messi’s teammates LOVE HIM. Cristiano Ronaldo’s teammates HATE HIM,” Griffin wrote.
When you watch Argentina and Portugal, one thing is very clear.
Lionel Messi’s teammates LOVE HIM.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s teammates HATE HIM.
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) June 22, 2026
Ronaldo’s contribution against DR Congo was widely criticized. He was called out for trying to score for himself instead of playing for the benefit of the team. Even Emmanuel Acho, the former NFL linebacker who also works as an analyst, could see how Ronaldo’s selfish play was a problem for his country:
“If you happen to watch him play the later half of his career, especially this recent World Cup, you watch him play today. He cost his team a goal. Because Ronaldo doesn’t care so much that his team scores. He cares so much that he scores, and that is the dilemma when you put yourself ahead of the team, ahead of Portugal, all of a sudden, you’re undermining yourself and you’re undermining the team,” Acho said.
Portugal will face Uzbekistan on Tuesday, with a victory now needed to guarantee their spot in the second round of the World Cup. Ronaldo must play better to give his team a chance.
