Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterWe're not sure if you've noticed, but Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are both playing at this World Cup.The two megastars of their generation have a long and storied rivalry with one another, rooted primarily in their time as the star players for Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively.But is there any chance we might get to see them face off one more time - and if so, what would it take to set up a meeting between Argentina and Portugal?When Argentina and Portugal could meet at the 2026 World CupThe pair had a near-monopoly on the Ballon d'Or between between 2008 and 2021, with Luka Modric the only player to break their dominance in that spell.The pair's most ardent/deranged supporters have argued long and hard as to which of the two can lay claim to being the greatest player of their era or possibly of all time, despite the fact that it's quite obviously Messi. You may like How to watch Cristiano Ronaldo at the 2026 FIFA World Cup Portugal vs DR Congo prediction as Cristiano Ronaldo goes for broke in World Cup record books Portugal vs Uzbekistan prediction: Will Cristiano Ronaldo get off the mark at World Cup? There are a few different routes that could lead to a meeting between Portugal and Argentina in the knockout stage of the World Cup.The most straightforward would be for Portugal to win their group by beating Colombia on Saturday afternoon. That would put them in the same half of the draw as Argentina, and they would meet in the quarter-finals on Saturday, July 11 in Kansas City if both sides made it that far.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.If Portugal fail to beat Colombia and finish as group runners-up, however, then they would go into the other half of the bracket. They would meant Portugal would be unable to meet Argentina unless both were involved in either the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Sunday, July 19; or the third-place play-off at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium the day before.It is extremely unlikely that Portugal will end up coming third in Group K: they would need to lose to Colombia while DR Congo beat Uzbekistan, and with the scorelines aligning in such a way that the African side overturn a six-goal swing in goal difference.But if that were to happen, Portugal would face the winners of Group L in the next round - and thus be in Argentina's half of the draw. The two sides could then meet in the semi-finals at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Wednesday, July 15. What to read next Which records will Cristiano Ronaldo break at World Cup 2026? How many more goals has Lionel Messi scored than Cristiano Ronaldo at World Cups? Is Messi playing at World Cup 2026? Messi and Ronaldo have faced off 36 times over their careers, first going head-to-head in Manchester United's Champions League semi-final victory over Barcelona in 2008.Messi's Barca got retribution in the final a year later, and the Argentinian holds the better record in meetings between their various sides with 16 wins, nine draws and 11 defeats. Their last meeting came in 2020, when Barcelona faced Juventus in the Champions League group stage.However, they have only faced each other on the international stage twice before.Argentina won a friendly 2-1 in 2011, with Messi scoring a late winner after Ronaldo had equalised for Portugal.Portugal won the second meeting 1-0 in another friendly at Old Trafford in 2014, with their injury-time winner coming after both players had been subbed off at half time.TOPICSCristiano RonaldoLionel MessiPortugalArgentinaWorld CupWorld Cup 2026Steven ChickenSocial Links NavigationSteven Chicken has been working as a football writer since 2009, taking in stints with Football365 and the Huddersfield Examiner. Steven still covers Huddersfield Town home and away for his own publication,WeAreTerriers.com. Steven is a two-time nominee for Regional Journalist of the Year at the prestigious British Sports Journalism Awards, making the shortlist in 2020 and 2023.
