Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo could finally settle GOAT debate as World Cup route emerges

The perfect script has emerged for the end of the storied rivalry between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as a historic World Cup showdown is now possible.

Messi and Ronaldo have shared the stage for more than two decades, dominating world football and collecting 13 Ballon d'Ors between them.

For years their careers and achievements have been side by side and they were involved in a never-ending debate centered on who is the greatest of all time.

But that debate could finally be settled on July 19 in MetLife Stadium, New Jersey.

That's because an unprecedented scenario is now potentially on the cards for the two titans of world football following the conclusion of the group stages.

In the final batch of group fixtures, Argentina beat Jordan 3-1 - with World Cup record goalscorer Messi coming off the bench to score in his seventh consecutive game in the tournament.

That made it three wins out of three for the reigning world champions, who topped Group J and will face Cape Verde in the round of 32.

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Portugal drew 0-0 with Colombia in Miami to finish second in Group K and set up a clash with Croatia in the first knockout fixture.

What needs to happen for Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to meet in the World Cup final?

The results moved both Argentina and Portugal to opposite sides of the bracket, with a potential Messi-Ronaldo quarter-final denied because the latter failed to top the group.

But fittingly, it now means that the only time the two greatest players in history can meet in the tournament is in the final.

Portugal are likely to Spain in the round of 16 if they get past Croatia and then one of United States, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Belgium or Senegal in the last eight.

They will avoid playing France or Germany until the semi-finals and only come up against Messi and Argentina in the grand finale.

Meanwhile, Argentina's potential route to a second consecutive World Cup final looks promising.

If they beat minnows Cape Verde as expected, a meeting with Egypt or Australia awaits.

Switzerland, Algeria, Colombia and Ghana are all potential quarter final opponents before things get juicier in the semis, where there is the possibility of Brazil or England.

Incredibly, Messi and Ronaldo have met 36 times on the pitch. The majority have come in El Clasico fixtures between Barcelona and Real Madrid, with Messi winning 16 of the meetings and Ronaldo coming out on top on 11 occasions.

But they have never locked horns in a World Cup fixture and now the likely only instance of it finally happening is on the biggest stage and in the final.

A lot still needs to happen for Messi and Ronaldo to seal their date with destiny and perhaps end the GOAT debate.

However, it would be a fitting finale to close up a chapter where two freakish footballers have completely changed the game with their achievements on the pitch.

The most recent encounter between the two was a friendly in January 2023 when Messi played for Paris Saint-Germain against a Saudi Pro League All-Stars side captained by Ronaldo.