The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner is chasing a first World Cup title with Argentina this winter.
Lionel Messi’s past achievements do not mean he deserves World Cup glory, according to Brazilian great Ronaldo Nazario.
The two-time World Cup winner insists Messi, like any other player, must earn his chance of glory as he prepares to face 2018 finalists Croatia with Argentina in the semi-finals on Tuesday evening in Lusail, Qatar.
“We all deserve it. Nobody gives you anything, not even for your story,” Ronaldo said to reporters on Monday.
“Argentina isn’t playing very well, but they play together, they’re aggressive. Then there is Messi, who is decisive when he’s near the box. He now does fewer sprints than before. At the beginning of his career, he did 30 actions and now he does 10, but he is still decisive. As soon as he gets the ball and he sees spaces, or is in the area, he is a killer.
“Would I be happy if Messi won the World Cup? Of course, I would be happy for him, but there is a big rivalry between Brazil and Argentina. I will not be hypocritical and say that I would be happy for Argentina, that’s not true!”
Messi has managed four goals and two assists in six games to help Argentina reach the last four of the tournament. Paris Saint-Germain teammate Kylian Mbappe is the only player to better this tally, having supplied five goals and two assists in as many matches for France.
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