A subtle dig at Messi? Cristiano Ronaldo clarifies that the World Cup is not his main motivation

With less than six months to go before his record-breaking sixth and final World Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo has once again sent shockwaves through the football world. In a series of candid remarks, the Portuguese star clarified that his primary objective is not the prestigious trophy held every four years, but rather a historic individual feat: becoming the first player in history to reach 1,000 official goals. This ambition highlights a shift in focus for "CR7," prioritizing individual longevity over collective glory, even as he finds himself surrounded by one of the most talented generations in Portugal's history.

While winning the World Cup is the ultimate dream for almost any professional footballer, Cristiano Ronaldo sees things differently. In his latest statements, the striker emphasized that his standing in the history of the sport is already cemented and will not be altered by a tournament that lasts only a few weeks.

"If you ask me: 'Cristiano, is it a dream to win the World Cup?' No, it is not a dream. Winning the World Cup will not change my name in football history. I’m not going to lie. Winning a competition of six or seven matches... do you think that’s fair to define a player’s legacy? No, it’s not," Ronaldo stated.

A Pointed Swipe at Lionel Messi?

The 40-year-old forward, who shares the record of appearing in five World Cups with Lionel Messi, appears to value consistent statistical dominance over tournament success. Ronaldo argued that reaching the 1,000-goal mark is a far more difficult achievement than winning a title across seven or eight matches. These comments have sparked controversy, with many interpreting them as a subtle dismissal of Messi’s crowning achievement in Qatar 2022, where the Argentine finally lifted the trophy after a dramatic final against France.

For Ronaldo, the logic is clear: comparing a career spanning over two decades to a competition played every four years is an unfair metric for a player of his caliber. While he acknowledges the importance of contributing to team titles, his obsession is now the 42 goals he needs to hit the 1,000-goal milestone. This goal has surpassed his desire to win the World Cup in his final attempt—his best finish remains a fourth-place spot back in Germany 2006.

"People say Cristiano will be the greatest in history only if he wins the World Cup. I don't agree; I’ve already won three trophies with Portugal," he confirmed.

Dominance in Saudi Arabia

For now, Cristiano remains hyper-focused on his performance in the Saudi Pro League. Leading the line for Al-Nassr, his side currently sits in second place with 31 points, just one point behind leaders Al-Hilal. Ronaldo continues to prove his clinical nature, leading the league’s scoring charts with 13 goals. Every strike brings him closer to that four-digit number, a feat that would make him the first in the history of the game to reach such a legendary mark.