Ronaldo mocked with Messi chants after Portugal's frustrating draw against DR Congo

Cristiano Ronaldo endured a difficult World Cup opener as Portugal were held to a draw by DR Congo, finishing without a goal or assist and registering just three shots — then walking toward the tunnel to the sound of rival fans chanting the name of Lionel Messi.

The moment landed with particular weight given what had unfolded 24 hours earlier. Messi scored a hat-trick in Argentina’s 3-0 win over Algeria, a performance that also saw him equal the all-time FIFA World Cup scoring record. Where Messi delivered a historic statement on the biggest stage, Ronaldo struggled to make an impact.

The two forwards have defined football’s greatest individual rivalry for nearly two decades, first forged during their years at Barcelona and Real Madrid, where they traded records and Ballon d’Or awards in a competition that consumed the sport. That debate has never fully settled, and the opening week of the 2026 World Cup has handed it fresh ammunition.

For Ronaldo, the stakes are uniquely high. At 40, this is widely considered his final opportunity to win the one major trophy that has eluded him throughout his career. A draw in the opening match, combined with a muted personal display, is far from the start he would have wanted.

Portugal will need to regroup quickly if Ronaldo is to have any chance of writing a different ending to the story. For now, the contrast with Messi’s opening salvo could hardly be sharper.