World Cup 2026: You’re never going to be Messi – Ex-England striker Bothroyd tells Ronaldo
Bothroyd: Ronaldo Should Step Back for Portugal
Former England international Jay Bothroyd has stated that Cristiano Ronaldo, captain of the Portugal national team, is unlikely to ever match Lionel Messi, his Argentine counterpart. Bothroyd believes Ronaldo should consider stepping down from Portugal’s starting lineup in the FIFA World Cup, suggesting that he can no longer perform at the level of his longtime rival.
In comments made on Sky Sports, Bothroyd addressed Ronaldo’s ongoing pursuit of Messi’s stature within the sport. He characterized Ronaldo’s performance as focused on personal achievement rather than team contribution.
“I think if Ronaldo is a team player, he should step down and understand that he needs to be an impact player off the bench,” Bothroyd said. “Is he ever going to do that? Nope, I don’t think he is. That is my point.”
Bothroyd acknowledged the loyalty of Ronaldo’s fans but emphasized that the Portuguese player often appears more concerned with his own legacy. “He is never going to be Lionel Messi, but throughout his career, he has maximized his potential,” he added.
