Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, two of the greatest footballers of all time, have hit a rare rough patch in front of goal in international competitions.
Both legendary footballers, known for their incredible scoring records, have failed to find the back of the net in the group stages of Copa America and Euro 2024.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal drought in the Euro 2024
Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portugal captain has faced challenges in Euro 2024, failing to score in the group stage.
Ronaldo and Portugal faced some challenges on their European journey, with the five-time Ballon d’Or holder struggling with his performances factored by the effects of ageing.
Despite nearing 40, the Al-Nassr legendary forward’s efforts nearly helped Portugal secure a win against the Czech Republic in their first game.
Ronaldo attempted an incredible header that unfortunately hit the woodwork and allowed Diogo Jota to score the rebound. However, a VAR review ruled Ronaldo offside.
Portugal managed to advance by beating Czech Republic 2-1 and Turkey 3-0 in their next games, with Ronaldo providing his seventh career assist for ex-Manchester United teammate Bruno Fernandez against Turkey.
This assist set a record for the most assists by any player in the tournament’s history.
Meanwhile, Portugal secured a spot in the knockout stage after their first two games. In their final group stage match against Georgia, Ronaldo only managed one shot on target, failed to complete any successful dribbles, and had a subpar passing performance.
Consequently, Georgia claimed a surprising 2-0 win, leading them to advance out of the group stages for the first time in history.
Despite this lackluster performance from Ronaldo, the forward’s leadership and determination remain strong as he looks to inspire his team to succeed in the competition.
Lionel Messi’s goal drought in the Copa America
On the other hand, Lionel Messi’s drought has not hindered Argentina’s impressive Copa America campaign, with the star assisting in crucial moments to secure victories for his team just like his rival Ronaldo.
The former Barcelona and PSG star came up clutch with an 88th-minute assist in the opening match against Canada, securing a 2-0 win.
Despite difficulties in the following match against Chile, Messi was Argentina’s standout player with impressive stats.
The 2022 World Cup winner chose to rest in Argentina’s final group-stage game, allowing them to secure first place in Group A.
Despite a heavily-rotated lineup, Argentina dominated possession in a 2-0 victory over Peru, finishing the group stage with a perfect nine points.
Despite his lack of goals, Messi’s impact on the pitch continues to be felt as he leads his team towards potential glory in the tournament.
Our Verdict
The unexpected struggles of these legendary players serve as a reminder that even the best can face difficulties, especially in their old age, but their talent and dedication continue to shine through in the face of adversity.
What’s next for Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi?
Cristiano Ronaldo will need to bring his A-game as he aims to score his first goal in Euro 2024 against the formidable Slovenia at 8 p.m. on Monday, July 1. It will be a tough test, but there’s no doubt Ronaldo has the talent to make this happen.
On the other hand, Lionel Messi and Argentina are looking strong as they await their quarterfinal opponent.
With potential matchups against the runner-up of group B’s Venezuela, Mexico, or Ecuador, it’s sure to be an exciting showdown that the Inter Miami’s star will feature in.
They will remain legends regardless.