Alexi Lalas, a former USMNT defender, has sparked debate by suggesting that Cristiano Ronaldo is becoming a burden to Portugal, unlike Lionel Messi, who continues to excel for Argentina, according to Sportskeeda. Lalas made the comparison on his State of the Union podcast, highlighting the different career trajectories of the two megastars.
“When it happens in a way like Cristiano Ronaldo, that’d be problematic,” Lalas said, referring to Messi’s potential retirement from international football. “I don’t think he is [a burden] now, but when it happens in a way that has kind of happened to Cristiano Ronaldo, that would be problematic.”
Lalas’ comments come after Ronaldo’s underwhelming performance at Euro 2024, where Portugal was eliminated in the quarterfinals by France. Despite starting all five matches, Ronaldo failed to score a goal and provided only one assist, sparking criticism from pundits and fans alike.
In contrast, Messi led Argentina to a 1-0 win in the Copa America final, scoring one goal and providing one assist in the tournament. Messi’s performance has sparked renewed debate about his status as the greatest player of all time, with former teammate Angel Di Maria recently choosing Messi over Ronaldo in the GOAT debate.
Lalas’ comparison highlights the different approaches of the two players, with Messi continuing to excel at the highest level while Ronaldo’s form has declined. The comments have sparked a heated debate among football fans, with some defending Ronaldo’s legacy and others agreeing with Lalas’ assessment