Portugal coach Martinez stated that Cristiano Ronaldo's rivalry with players like Lionel Messi motivates both athletes to maintain their peak performance, even as Ronaldo arrives late to the World Cup festivities. This ongoing competition is seen as a key factor in their enduring excellence in football.

Ahead of Spain's match against Portugal in the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, forward Mikel Oyarzabal has named Lionel Messi as the best striker in the tournament. Oyarzabal, who is the captain of Real Sociedad, shared his views on the iconic Argentine playmaker during an appearance on the Spanish radio program El Partidazo.

As the 2026 FIFA World Cup expands to 48 teams, players such as Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, and Cristiano Ronaldo are breaking records in a competitive race for the Golden Boot, highlighting their elite scoring abilities.

Abongile Tom, recognized as one of Africa's top referees, shared the spotlight with renowned footballer Cristiano Ronaldo during the FIFA World Cup, eliciting reactions from South African fans.

France head coach Didier Deschamps has rejected the notion that captain Kylian Mbappe is a 'dictator' in the team, a label attributed to his strong influence in football. Deschamps stated that his perspective on Mbappe's role is different from the public perception, emphasizing that the media's portrayal does not align with his experience.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the former Sweden striker, criticized Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo during the ongoing FIFA World Cup, stating that Ronaldo's ego is negatively impacting the team. Ibrahimovic suggested that Ronaldo's presence in the starting lineup does not exemplify legendary leadership and implied that the 41-year-old has lost his effectiveness on the field.