Lionel Messi wins FIRST international ‘trophy’ while Cristiano Ronaldo lifts

On Jul 27, 2020

Long way to go, Lionel: Messi wins FIRST international ‘trophy’ for beating 129th best team in the world in low-key friendly as rival Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates winning inaugural Nations League with Portugal

Lionel Messi scored twice as Argentina beat Nicaragua 5-1 on Saturday night
Messi then held aloft the Copa San Juan after his country’s victory
Cristiano Ronaldo captained Portugal to Nations League glory on Sunday night
It was their second international trophy in three years after Euro 2016 success

Published: 07:02 EDT, 10 June 2019 | Updated: 07:47 EDT, 10 June 2019

Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi. The never-ending debate.

The best two players of their generation have both claimed some international recognition this weekend but to differing heights.

Messi was part of the Argentina squad that won the Copa San Juan for beating Nicaragua.

Lionel Messi (left) and Cristiano Ronaldo both held trophies with their national teams last week

Messi guided Argentina to the Copa San Juan for beating Nicaragua 5-1 on Saturday night

Meanwhile, Ronaldo led Portugal to glory in the inaugural Nations League on Sunday night

Meanwhile, Ronaldo captained Portugal to Nations League glory with victory over Holland.

While both achieved silverware – Ronaldo’s feat carries more weight as that is an official tournament.

Portugal emerged victorious 1-0 on Sunday night to become the inaugural Nations League champions.

Goncalo Guedes’ goal on 60 minutes proved the decisive strike as Fernando Santos’ side won the UEFA tournament on home soil.

Despite not partaking in the group stages last year, Ronaldo played a key part in Portugal reaching the final – scoring a brilliant hat-trick as they beat Switzerland 3-1 in the semi-finals on Wednesday.

Goncalo Guedes scored Portugal’s only goal of the game as they beat Holland 1-0 in Porto

The 34-year-old was clearly delighted at Portugal’s achievement on Sunday night – as demonstrated by his celebrations in front of their jubilant fans at the Estadio do Dragao in Porto.

The achievement was Portugal’s second in three years, following their Euro 2016 triumph.

In contrast, despite holding aloft a trophy at the weekend, Messi is yet to win an official international honour with the Argentina senior team.

Their 5-1 win over 129th FIFA-ranked Nicaragua on Saturday night was merely a warm-up match for the upcoming Copa America in Brazil.

Despite scoring a brace, Messi was mocked on social media by some due to his lack of major honours with Argentina in light of Ronaldo’s latest triumph.

Messi scored twice for Argentina as they swotted aside Nicaragua in a Copa America warm-up

@TrollFootball wrote: ‘Ronaldo with Portugal vs Messi with Argentina,’ accompanied with picutres of Ronaldo’s success with Portugal and Messi crying for Argentina.

@RonaldoEdition wrote: ‘Messi has been in 4 finals with Argentina – won ZERO. Ronaldo has been in 3 finals with Portugal -…