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Former Manchester United<\/a> striker Carlos Tevez believes that Cristiano Ronaldo<\/a> had to work hard to reach his level, while Lionel Messi<\/a> was a natural. He believes that both are humans, but the Portugal captain had to take the harder route.<\/p>\n Speaking to ESPN<\/a>, Tevez said Ronaldo was aware he had to become a machine and maintain consistency in all aspects of life to reach Messi’s level. He believes that the Portugal captain had to change a lot to deliver like the Argentine, but they still remain different players.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \nThanks for the submission!\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/template><\/p>\n “Yes, I have spent time with both of them when they were both very young. I think Leo is much more natural. Cristiano is completely human and knows he has to go to the gym, that he has to eat well, that he has to train to become something completely different. But they are both completely different. They’re both human.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n <\/p>\n <\/template><\/p>\n “But, Cristiano has to work even harder to become something completely different. He’s a machine. That’s why we have to tip our hats to both of them, because both, with their unique skills and always giving their all in everything they do, they have become football geniuses.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Carlos Tevez played 47 matches with Lionel Messi for the national team, combining for 10 goals. He played 80 games with Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United, and the two combined for nine goals.<\/p>\n Cristiano Ronaldo has been chasing Lionel Messi at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as the Argentine has been ahead in the Golden Boot race. Louis Saha spoke about the Portugal captain, saying that he needs to start thinking of a new role and said:<\/p>\n “They want to press and have the energy level at the very top, that will involve making changes. Sometimes he has provided a solution for that. His fitness seems to be high, he has worked really hard for those moments, and I trust him to react the right way. But he will find that during some games, it will feel hard for him.” (via GOAL<\/a>)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Lionel Messi now has six goals in his three group stage matches, and takes on Cape Verde in the Round of 32. Cristiano Ronaldo has scored three goals in four matches, having found the back of the net in the Round of 32 matches from the penalty spot, after a brace in the group stage against Uzbekistan.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi at the 2026 FIFA World Cup<\/h2>\n