"It's a sad end for him" - Jamie Carragher's comments on Cristiano Ronaldo joining Al-Nassr after Lionel Messi won FIFA World Cup resurface
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher had dropped an explosive comment after Lionel Messi won the 2022 FIFA World Cup and Cristiano Ronaldo moved to Saudi Arabia. The Reds icon had stated that it was a sad end for the Al-Nassr talisman who took a descending step in his career with that move.
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo both represented their respective countries at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. However, the duo experienced contrasting fates during the course of the tournament.
While the Argentine shone with amazing performances in every game and inspired his team to claim the trophy, the Portuguese endured a nightmare outing and couldn't help his side prevent a quarter-final loss to Morocco (1-0).
To make things worse, the 39-year-old also had his contract mutually terminated by Manchester United following a controversial interview with journalist Piers Morgan prior to the World Cup. During the interview, he had fired shots at the club's hierarchy and manager Erik ten Hag.
With no big club in Europe willing to sign him at the time, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner had to settle for a move to Saudi Arabia where he joined Al-Nassr on a two-and-half year contract.
Commenting on those developments, Jamie Carragher reckoned that it was a sad end for the former Real Madrid winger, adding that it wasn't the best way to exit. He told Sky Sports (via Marca):
"In some ways, it's a sad end for him. You have two of the greatest players in Messi and Ronaldo, and Ronaldo has finished his career during an interview with Piers Morgan and Messi has won the World Cup. It's not the best way to go out," the Liverpool icon said.
It is worth noting that Lionel Messi later followed in Cristiano Ronaldo's footsteps as he bid farewell to European football and joined MLS outfit Inter Miami in July 2023.
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo's numbers at the 2022 World Cup
Lionel Messi rolled back the years and produced scintillating performances in every game during the tournament. The Argentine finished second in the top scorers' list with seven goals in as many games. He also ended up with the most assists, with three to his name.
The Argentine broke many records in Qatar, becoming the player with the most appearances in World Cup history (26) and the most Man of the Match awards (11). He also has the most goal contributions (21) as well as being the only player to win the Golden Ball twice.
For Cristiano Ronaldo, meanwhile, the story was different. The Portuguese appeared a shadow of himself and could only record one goal to his name. He also found himself on the bench during the key knockout games against Switzerland and Morocco to cap off what was simply a disastrous outing.