When can Lionel Messi face Cristiano Ronaldo at World Cup 2022?

Quite frankly, you’re lying if you don’t want to see a Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo showdown for the World Cup trophy.

The prospect of seeing two of the greatest ballers in history slugging it out for the biggest prize in the game, in what is likely to be their last shot at the title, is tantalising.

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What makes it even more exciting is the fact that Argentina and Portugal are actually on track to reach the World Cup final after making encouraging starts to Qatar 2022.

Lionel Messi inspired the Albiceleste to overcome their shock defeat to Saudi Arabia by beating Mexico and Poland to finish top of Group C before scoring in his 1000th game in professional football as Australia were swatted aside in the last 16.

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Cristiano Ronaldo has grabbed headlines with his antics on and off the pitch. The controversial interview with Piers Morgan prompted his exit from Manchester United but he became the first player to score at five World Cups when netting in Portugal’s 3-2 win over Ghana.

He then tried to steal one of Bruno Fernandes’ goals before sulking like a child when subbed off in his team’s 2-1 defeat to South Korea and was subsequently dropped for the last-16 rout of Switzerland.

The big question is can Messi’s Argentina and Ronaldo’s Portugal face off in the World Cup?

READ MORE: Is Lionel Messi playing at the World Cup today? Details of Argentina’s next match

Well, the answer is yes, and their only potential matchup would be in the final as the two nations are on different sides of the World Cup bracket.

Argentina are two games away from the World Cup final and their next match is a quarter-final tie against the Netherlands on Friday, December 9.

If Messi and co can overcome the Dutch then they will face South American rivals Brazil or World Cup 2018 finalists Croatia in the last four on Tuesday, December 13.

READ MORE: Is Cristiano Ronaldo playing at the World Cup today? Details of Portugal’s next match