In a candid assessment on Sky Sports, former England striker Jay Bothroyd has delivered a stark message to Cristiano Ronaldo: despite his illustrious career, the Portugal star will never reach the level of Lionel Messi. Bothroyd urged Ronaldo to consider stepping down from the Portugal starting eleven for the 2026 World Cup, arguing that the Al-Nassr forward cannot match the impact of his eternal rival.
Bothroyd emphasized that Ronaldo, at 41, should embrace a role as an impact substitute rather than holding a place in the starting lineup. He remarked, “I honestly think if Ronaldo’s a team player, he needs to accept being a player who comes off the bench. Will he ever do that? No, I don’t think so. That’s my point. It looks like it’s all about him, and he’s always chasing Messi. He’s never going to be Lionel Messi, but he has made the absolute most of his career.”
The comments have sparked debate, as Bothroyd acknowledged that Ronaldo’s loyal fans may disagree. However, he insisted that Ronaldo’s pursuit of Messi is futile, as the Argentine remains the benchmark for greatness. Bothroyd concluded by praising Ronaldo’s achievements but made it clear that the Portuguese star cannot replicate Messi’s magic on the world stage.