We are just under a year away from the 2026 World Cup taking place in the USA, Canada and Mexico and it should be enthralling for several reasons. Not least because it will be the final World Cup for

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, both over 37, continue breaking records on the global stage. Recently, the Portuguese star has edged past his Argentine rival in an international statistic, bringing him closer to a world record.

The 40-year-old soccer great has recently signed a new contract with Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr and led Portugal to victory at the UEFA Nations League last summer. The World Cup is the one major trophy that eludes him — leaving him behind his great rival Lionel Messi, who lifted soccer's biggest prize with Argentina in 2022.

All five goals were scored by Portugal, in Armenia, but they had a distinctly Roshn Saudi League feel.The 2026 FIFA World Cup hopefuls opened their qualification account with a thumping 5-0 victory

Data: Messi and Ronaldo have both excelled in their national teams, with Messi helping Argentina win the Copa America in 2021, while Ronaldo performed excellently in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.

With his brace for Argentina against Venezuela, Lionel Messi matched Cristiano Ronaldo's goals in World Cup Qualifying history.

Ballon d’Or winner Luka Modric will likely play in his last World Cup for Croatia next year. The 39-year-old is still in good shape and has just made the move from Real Madrid to AC Milan, leaving Los Blancos after 13 years.