Lionel Messi Has Won the Public Battle Against Cristiano Ronaldo

If you want to know just how much more popular Lionel Messi has become relative to Cristiano Ronaldo in the four years since Messi led Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title, just look at the discourse over two recent controversial VAR decisions.

First, there was Folarin Balogun’s replay-induced red card in the United States’ 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina for his studs-exposed challenge on star Bosnian defender Tarik Muharemovic.

As Brazilian referee Raphael Claus reviewed the pitchside monitor and ultimately determined Balogun had met the standard for serious foul play, fans took note of Messi’s similar challenge in Argentina’s opener against Algeria.

Often, they did so in the context of arguing that Balogun shouldn’t be punished because Messi wasn’t, and thus clearly had done nothing wrong.

Fast forward almost exactly 24 hours, and fans were again crashing out over replay and computer chip technology pretty clearly showing Mario Pasalic was offside in the buildup to Croatia’s apparent miracle equalizer against Ronaldo’s Portugal.

Croatia have already defied all expectations by reaching two World Cup final fours and one final. Portugal hasn’t reached a semifinal since Ronaldo was 21. And yet the public was clearly on the Croats’ side.

There are very real reasons to be wary of technology-infused officiating at the World Cup. In particular, it can actually exacerbate inherent biases when officials use it unevenly, consciously or subconsciously, depending on the team it impacts. (See, for example, England vs. Ghana.)

But like everything else in sports, these gripes also expose our biases. And in 2026, our biases are unabashedly pro-Messi, anti-Ronaldo.

The question, then, is whether there’s anything left that could change the equation, or if this is just how it will be for the rest of history, similar to how Jordan eventually got the better of Thomas, or how Ali eventually conquered Frazier.

It certainly feels unlikely that this version of Ronaldo, now 41 and limited to a line-leading center forward role, can transform opinions with his play.

Yes, he scored the leveler from the penalty spot, and before that had a really classy potential equalizer disallowed for being fractionally offside. But he also finished the match with only one touch in the penalty area -- his penalty conversion -- and was pulled off in the 81st minute with Roberto Martinez seeking a winning goal.

Martinez’s bravery was then rewarded when Goncalo Ramos headed home four minutes into stoppage time, setting a dangerous precedent for Ronaldo’s influence in this World Cup.

Sure, there are up to four more games left for Portugal. Sure, Ronaldo could get on a heater and propel Portugal to its first-ever World Cup title.

There’s also no rule against Cape Verde going out and beating Argentina 3-0 on Friday evening. But I wouldn’t lay money down on it.

As for whether Messi could ever estrange the fans he’s won over? His quietness makes that pretty hard to imagine.

As a younger player, that soft-spoken nature annoyed fans who believed his lack of demonstrative leadership was keeping him from accomplishing goals, particularly with the Argentine national team. Now as a 39-year-old veteran, it’s the gift that keeps on giving, permitting fans to believe whatever they want about him. And most people want to believe he’s some sort of quasi-religious football deity.

Argentina may exit the World Cup earlier than we expect. Portugal may at last make a deep run or even win their first-ever title.

But the battle in fans’ hearts and minds feels complete. No VAR review is going to change that.