Dutch legend Wesley Sneijder just dropped a bombshell opinion that’s dividing football fans worldwide. The former Real Madrid and Inter Milan star believes Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal have a stronger chance of winning the 2026 FIFA World Cup than defending champions Lionel Messi and Argentina. Even more controversially, Sneijder claimed Argentina were “a bit lucky” during their 2022 Qatar triumph.
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Sneijder’s Bold Prediction That Shocked Fans
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Adventure Gamers, the 2010 World Cup finalist didn’t hold back. “Portugal have a very strong team. For me they are one of the favourites so then I would say Cristiano Ronaldo has the stronger chance of winning the next World Cup compared to Lionel Messi,” Sneijder stated confidently.
This comes as both football titans prepare for what could be their final World Cup appearance, with both players poised to become the only footballers to appear in six different World Cup editions.
| Player | Age at 2026 WC | World Cups | International Goals | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cristiano Ronaldo | 41 | 6th appearance | 135+ | Confirmed final WC |
| Lionel Messi | 39 | 6th appearance | 112+ | Participation uncertain |
| Wesley Sneijder | N/A | Runner-up 2010 | 31 | Retired |
Why Portugal Gets the Edge
Sneijder’s reasoning goes beyond sentiment. Portugal’s squad depth, featuring stars like João Neves, Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes, Rafael Leão, Pedro Neto, and João Félix, makes them genuine contenders. The Dutch legend emphasized that “overall Portugal are a better team” despite Argentina’s reigning champion status.
However, there’s a catch. Ronaldo will miss Portugal’s opening match at the 2026 World Cup due to a red card suspension from qualifiers, potentially hampering their campaign start.
Messi’s Uncertain Future
Unlike Ronaldo’s confirmation, Messi’s participation remains undecided. The 38-year-old Inter Miami star stated his involvement depends on his physical and mental condition, noting that MLS’s different season structure means he’ll evaluate things day-by-day leading up to the tournament.
Argentina has already secured qualification and enters as defending champions, but Sneijder’s “lucky” comment references the dramatic penalty shootout victories that defined their Qatar journey.
The 1,000-Goal Race
Beyond World Cup glory, both legends are chasing another milestone. Sneijder believes both Ronaldo and Messi will reach 1,000 career goals, stating “Cristiano won’t stop before reaching the thousand goals” and noting Messi has “signed another two year deal” and “will definitely reach one thousand goals as well”.
Ronaldo currently sits past 950 goals while playing for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, while Messi surpassed 900 goals after winning the 2025 MLS Golden Boot with Inter Miami.
What This Means for Football Fans
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, represents the final chapter in football’s greatest rivalry. Whether you’re Team Ronaldo or Team Messi, witnessing both GOATs compete at 40+ years old will be historic.
Explore more about the greatest World Cup moments and our analysis of Ronaldo vs Messi: The Final Verdict on TechnoSports.
For official tournament updates, visit FIFA’s official 2026 World Cup page or follow Portugal Football Federation and Argentina Football Association.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Will the 2026 World Cup be the last for both Ronaldo and Messi?
Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed the 2026 World Cup will be his final tournament, stating he’ll be 41 years old and expects to retire before the 2030 edition. Lionel Messi hasn’t officially confirmed whether he’ll participate, saying his decision depends on his physical and mental condition as the tournament approaches.
Q: Why does Wesley Sneijder believe Portugal has a better chance than Argentina?
Sneijder cited Portugal’s strong squad depth and team quality as key factors, claiming they’re one of the tournament favorites. He also controversially suggested Argentina were “a bit lucky” to win the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, implying Portugal overall possesses a better team structure despite Argentina’s defending champion status.
