2010 FIFA World Cup: Cristiano Ronaldo And Lionel Messi's Super Test

The 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa will be a great test for Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, but will Portugal and Argentina profit from their talismans to leave their mark in the tournament?

“Impossible is nothing,” this saying was justified over the past decades when Pele exceeded the 1,000-goal mark, or when Diego Maradona ruled over controversy to give Argentina their second World Cup trophy at the age of 23 to become a soccer legend. Other football aces have also made unimaginable individual achievements; however, it is the FIFA World Cup which truly gives a player respect, as well as glory.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi both have several records at club level, but at senior international level, they are yet to prove their importance in a national football team. The 2010 FIFA World Cup tournament will be the highest challenge both stars have ever faced in their careers, and in this post, we take a look at brief profiles with facts on both forwards.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo’s individual record at club level: In the 2009/10 season, he scored 33 goals for Real Madrid in 39 appearances, and had seven assists.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s form at senior international level: Since 2008, Ronaldo has never scored for Portugal. He was goalless the whole of the 2010 World Cup Qualification within the UEFA zone, just as in his friendlies against Cape Verde, Cameroon, and Mozambique.

There is absolutely no balance between his attainments for Madrid and for Portugal, but notwithstanding his incapability to shine for his country in recent times, Coach Carlos Queiroz still regards him as Portugal’s Superman.

At the 2006 World Cup, Ronaldo was insulted by the world for encouraging the sending-off of English forward Wayne Rooney, and for winking to the Portuguese bench subsequently. He failed to get a medal after Portugal was beaten by Germany in the third-place final.

In South Africa this summer, dangerous captain Ronaldo will be leading Portugal against the heavy Elephants of the Ivory Coast on June 15 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth; and he will be aiming to put his mark in the competition and confirm his authority among A Seleccăo, and over his contenders.

Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi’s individual record at club level: In the 2009/10 season, he scored 47 goals and made 14 assists for Barcelona in 53 appearances.

Lionel Messi’s form at senior international level: He scored no more than four goals in 18 matches in 2010 World Cup qualification around the CONMEBOL zone.

Argentinian football followers attacked him for not “wanting” to re-make the wonders he performed without difficulties in Barcelona, but the talisman has promised his supporters that the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa will be a totally different chapter.

At the 2006 World Cup, Messi featured in his team’s games against Ivory Coast, Serbia, the Netherlands, and Mexico. He became the youngest scorer in that competition, and the sixth youngest scorer in the World Cup’s history.

Messi’s first game will be against Nigeria on June 12 at the Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg. The Super Eagles have boldly shown their desire to trample on the world’s best player, and thus, it will be up to Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi to organize a powerful attack and teach the Africans a lesson, so as to lock the door to their other African brothers in the competition.

In the end, huge mistakes or failure to excel from the part of Cristiano Ronaldo or Messi might be unforgivable to the supporters; but if anything, then La Pulga and CR9 would surely want to put a part of their blame on referees, violent opponents, coach decisions, or unsatisfying fans—as this is how it has often proved to be in their occupations.