2010 FIFA World Cup: Who Has More Pressure, Cristiano Ronaldo Or Lionel Messi?

Every four years, the world stops for one month to watch the greatest sporting event known to man, The World Cup (sorry Super Bowl). The World Cup is a battle royal between 32 countries trying to claim the title as “Champions of the World’s Game."   

The 2010 FIFA World Cup is being held in South Africa and most of the coverage leading up to the competition has dealt with the national teams: Will Spain finally win it all? Will the USA make a deep run in the tournament? Which teams will survive the “Group of Death?"  

However, the World Cup first and foremost is about the players. For one month, the best players in the world show off their skills on the grandest stage. Every World Cup, a player comes out of nowhere and writes his name into the history books with his play on the pitch .  

But the World Cup is about the superstars. And the two biggest superstars this tournament are Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.  

These two are the best soccer players in the world. You can debate for days who is No. 1 and No. 2, but both are almost unstoppable when they are on the pitch.  

Both of them have been incredibly successful at the club level. They both have been named FIFA Player of the Year and have both won the UEFA Champions League.  

But both Ronaldo and Messi have been criticized for not performing to their standards for their respective national teams. Fans scratch their heads at how these superstars can be so dominate on the club level but struggle when they put on their nations jersey.  

Ronaldo lead Portugal to the final of EURO 2004 but ended up losing to the huge underdog Greece. Portugal’s only other successful run with Ronaldo was a fourth place finish in the 2006 World Cup.  

Messi has had a little more success with Argentina. Messi was part of the team that won the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship. He also was part an important member of the 2008 Beijing Olympic team that won the gold medal.   

Ronaldo, at 25 years old, may have more pressure to succeed this World Cup because he is in the prime of his career. Also the Portuguese team is getting up there in age, so this maybe their last real chance at competing for the title. Portugal unfortunately was placed in the “Group of Death” and will have to bring their A-game to just advance out of the group stage. But simply stated, Portugal will go as far as Ronaldo will take them.  

The 22-year old Messi will have more chances than Ronaldo to win the cup because of his age, but the Argentinean may have the most pressure to win this year. The reigning FIFA Player of the Year had one of the best club seasons in the history of the game. He scored a mind-blowing 47 goals in all competitions and helped Barcelona win their second La Liga title in a row. Although Messi may have more support on his national team than Ronaldo, Messi is still considered by the far the best player on the team. Messi is the heart and soul of this Argentinean team and if Messi does not show up at this World Cup, it will be awfully hard for Argentina to win the title.  

Players can become superstars at the club level and have long successful careers. But superstars become legends at the World Cup.  

All-time greats like Ronaldo, Pele, Maradona, and Beckenbauer all had stellar club careers. But they are remembered for their play at the World Cup.  

Ronaldo and Messi both have a chance to become legends at the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Their home nations will be expecting them to put on a performance of a lifetime.   

Both of these players have pressure to perform at the highest level for their national team, but the question must be asked. Who has the most pressure to excel at the World Cup?  

Let the debate begin…