Some of the best football players on the planet are in action at this year’s Club World Cup, which has been revamped and expanded for 2025. The tournament, which gets started in the United States this weekend,

It’s almost five years since Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo last faced off in a competitive fixture, and it looks increasingly unlikely we’ll never see it happen again as they wind down their careers in different footballing orbits.

In the pantheon of football greats, two names have transcended eras, countries, and records — Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. With careers that have spanned two decades, both icons have left indelible marks on the game through their relentless pursuit of excellence at both club and international levels.