Messi (left) won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar while Ronaldo is yet to ever win the title
Al Nassr forward, Cristiano Ronaldo has come under intense scrutiny on social media over conflicting comments he made regarding his ambition to win the World Cup.
During an interview in 2020, the Portuguese national team captain stated that his biggest dream was to win the World Cup, having already won most major trophies at club level.
"I want the World Cup. I've won trophies at every club I've been at, but the World Cup is my BIG DREAM," Ronaldo said in 2020 after receiving Golden Foot Award.
My daughter convinced me to propose to Georgina - Cristiano Ronaldo
However, the Real Madrid legend has since made a U-turn on his national team aspirations in a recent interview with Piers Morgan.
The all-time national team top scorer stated that he no longer dreams of winning the World Cup and considers it unfair to use the tournament as a measure of greatness in football history.
"It's not a dream for me to win the World Cup... You want a World Cup to define the best player in history? One competition with six or seven games, you think that's fair?" he questioned.
The conflicting remarks have sparked reactions on social media, with some fans believing he made the comment out of frustration over not winning the trophy in his career.
Others pointed out that his arch-rival Lionel Messi is regarded by many as the GOAT due to his ability to lead Argentina to World Cup victory in 2022 in Qatar.
They advised Ronaldo to focus on maintaining good form and possibly aim for the 2026 World Cup to cement his legacy, rather than downplaying the significance of the competition.
Read the reactions below:
Messi and argentina changed his dreams also ๐๐คฃ
โ Rummen (@chempg8) November 4, 2025
Youโre being sassy cause Messi won it ๐๐
โ Nyx Nation (@nyxnation_) November 4, 2025
Heโs won more individual trophies and collective trophies than you
Even with a world cup win, youโre still not on his level
Yet your fans are saying you are the best because you have 1 more UCL than Messi
โ Nkanyiso๐ (@NkanyisoNNgcobo) November 4, 2025
Even ronaldo fan canโt defend him for this statement pic.twitter.com/5CDQnsGQsW
โ Supriya singh (@TrendTrendlover) November 4, 2025
GOAT of hypocrisy
โ Uzor Joseff ๐ (@UzorJ15) November 4, 2025
"I will give everything in order to win the WC. It will be a dream for me and for Portugal"
โ Kekeli (@techguy_kelly) November 4, 2025
Bro made this statement before the 2022 world cup
He always contradicts himself
Ronaldo ๐๐ pic.twitter.com/PTdH8I2ZKi
โ RHYBOSS (@RHYBOSS1) November 4, 2025
Eyaa ๐
โ /\/\|)ee๐ฆ (@Mr_Md33_) November 4, 2025
He dey see Messi for dream
Ronaldo in 2020 at Golden Foot: โ itโs a dream to win a World Cup for Portugalโ
โ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ โ๏ธ (@Mmaasemy3) November 4, 2025
Ronaldo in 2025: โ Itโs NOT a dream of mine to win the World Cupโ
Mr inconsistency ๐๐ pic.twitter.com/063dWAPY3O
Herh Ronaldo paa de3 some comedian oo ๐คฃ๐คฃ
โ RG not Kato (@Rgkato7) November 4, 2025
Itโs crazy how time changes perspective ๐ .. From chasing the World Cup dream to now downplaying its importance. Sounds like acceptance mixed with a bit of frustration.
โ Hommie Riches (@Hommie_Riches) November 4, 2025
๐๐ so when he doesnโt win it, his fans will say he never dream to win it
โ Beloved (@johnadekunle55) November 4, 2025