Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi only need to step onto the field at the 2026 World Cup to make history. Literally. They are about to become the first players to play in six editions of the competition, which will celebrate its 100th anniversary (Mexico goalkeeper Ochoa could also make it there). Two careers so intertwined are close to an end and will probably write their last chapters in the biggest tournament in the world at the same time.  From statements and marketing actions here and there, everything points to the fact that the World Cup, hosted in the United States, Canada and Mexico, will be the last in the careers of the two, who still pursue some goals, one of them in common. Related news: Group J: Argentina starts the World Cup dreaming of a second title. Cristiano Ronaldo leads Portugal team into sixth World Cup. With Ederson, Brazil brings together representatives from 78 clubs in World Cups. For almost two decades, the two have been rivals on everything. In 2009, Messi's Barcelona defeated Ronaldo's Manchester United, CR7, in the Champions League final and from then on their paths never separated again. The Portuguese transferred to Real Madrid, the biggest rival of the club defended by the Argentine. The two have won titles in the world's main club tournament: CR7 has five (four for Real and one for United) and Messi has four (all for Barcelona). They also monopolized the individual awards: there are eight best in the world trophies for the Argentine and five for the Portuguese.  Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi were on opposite sides in the group stage of the 2002 Champions League. At the time, the Portuguese star played for Juventus, and the Argentine played for Barcelona - by REUTERS/Albert Gea/Rights reserved In his own national teams, success was slow to come. Cristiano Ronaldo won Portugal's first European title in 2016, while Messi had to wait another five years to win his first, the 2021 Copa América.  As expected, the World Cup is also a separate chapter in the rivalry between the two, but with Messi's clear superiority. The Argentine hit the post in 2014, but four years later he took Argentina out of the queue with a world title , which ended a 36-year drought. Furthermore, he has 13 goals and is just three away from equaling German Miroslav Klose, the World Cup's top scorer. Cristiano Ronaldo can boast the record of having scored goals in five World Cups, all of which he played in (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022). However, the furthest they got was precisely in their first participation, in 2006, when the Portuguese stopped in the semi-final. The striker has "only" eight goals, with some discreet appearances on his resume. A title in the last participation would be historic. Already in the twilight of their careers, CR7 (currently at Al-Nassr, in Saudi Arabia), aged 41, and Messi (Inter Miami, USA), aged 38 - turning 39 in the middle of the World Cup - are still seeking a rare goal. Both are in the running for the 1,000th goal in their careers. There are 27 left for the Portuguese and 90 for the Argentine. The historic milestone will certainly not come in the World Cup, but the tournament can add another memory to two remarkable careers. Argentina is the top seed in group J, which also includes Algeria, Jordan and Austria. Portugal, head of group K, has as opponents in the group stage the teams of Colombia, Democratic Republic of Congo and Uzbekistan. If they confirm their favoritism by reaching first place in their groups and advance to the knockout stage, Portugal and Argentina will meet in the quarterfinals. If one of them does not lead their respective group and passes the stage in another position, the final "squabble" can occur even in the final, worth the title. Which, considering the trajectory of their careers, would be a very characteristic outcome.