Cristiano vs Messi last dance, what needs to happen for fans' dream of seeing Messi vs CR7 come true again

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi could meet once again depending on what happens this summer.

28/06/2024, 03:15 PM +00:00

Lionel Messi runs with the Argentina jersey on and Cristiano Ronaldo claps with the Portugal jersey on. (Source: Messi Xtra X, GOATTWORLD X)

Football fans around the world are still enjoying seeing two of the greatest football players of all time, but their time in professional football is almost over. Lionel Messi plays for Inter Miami in the MLS, and Cristiano Ronaldo plays for Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League. Despite both of them not playing in Europe, they earned themselves a call-up to their national teams to play in the Copa America and the EUROS, respectively. It is very difficult for fans to see Messi and Ronaldo play against each other for a final time, but this summer could be crucial for them to meet once again. If Messi wins the Copa America with Argentina and Ronaldo wins the EUROS with Portugal, the two national teams could meet next year in another edition of the Finalissima or the CONMEBOL UEFA Cup of Champions. That match could be the last time Ronaldo and Messi play against each other in professional football for good.

Messi played in this unique cup final two years ago in the 2022 Finalissima against the Italian national team. The final was between the winners of the 2021 Copa America and the EUROS 2021 winners. Argentina defeated Italy 3-0 at Wembley Stadium on June 1st, 2022. Lautaro Martinez, Angel Di Maria, and Paulo Dybala scored in the final against Italy two years ago.

It is rumored that CONMEBOL and UEFA plan to do it again in the summer of 2025. If Portugal and Argentina win their respective tournaments, they will most definitely want to plan the final since it involves another match between Ronaldo and Messi. Ronaldo and Messi were supposed to play against each other earlier this year in a friendly match between Inter Miami and Al Nassr, but CR7 was injured, and Messi played a few minutes of the game. Al Nassr defeated Inter Miami 6-0 at the Kingdom Arena on February 1st, 2024.

The last time Ronaldo and Messi faced each other

It has been a year since Ronaldo and Messi faced off on a football pitch. On January 19th, 2023, Ronaldo played for Riyadh All Stars, and they took on Messi's PSG team in a friendly match in Saudi Arabia. It was Ronaldo's debut in Saudi Arabia, where PSG won the match 5-4. Messi scored one goal, while Ronaldo scored a brace.