Indian football captain Sunil Chhetri has lavished praise on Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for their extraordinary longevity at the FIFA World Cup 2026, while also celebrating the emergence of a new generation led by Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland. Speaking on Zee5, Chhetri described the ongoing tournament as a once-in-a-generation spectacle for football fans worldwide.

Messi and Ronaldo Rewrite the Record Books

Lionel Messi etched his name deeper into World Cup folklore by becoming the tournament's all-time leading men's goalscorer, netting his 17th and 18th World Cup goals in a brace that powered Argentina to a 2-0 victory over Austria in the group stage. The milestone surpassed former Germany forward Miroslav Klose, who had held the record with 16 World Cup goals.

Cristiano Ronaldo, meanwhile, made history of his own, becoming the first footballer ever to score in six different FIFA World Cups — Germany 2006, South Africa 2010, Brazil 2014, Russia 2018, Qatar 2022, and now USA-Mexico-Canada 2026. His brace in Portugal's 5-0 win over Uzbekistan also made him, at 41 years and 138 days, the second-oldest goalscorer in World Cup history, behind only Roger Milla of Cameroon, who scored at 42 years and 39 days in 1994.

Chhetri on the Hunger That Sets Them Apart

'Think about Messi and Ronaldo, who are almost 40. For them to perform like this on the world stage is unbelievable. If there is one thing young footballers should learn from them, it's their hunger. They have won almost everything in football, but they still play with the same desire and commitment,' Chhetri said.

Asked about his favourite moments of the tournament so far, Chhetri highlighted Messi's hat-trick, Japan's dominant 4-0 triumph, and the Morocco vs Scotland encounter, which he watched live in Boston. 'Messi's hat-trick reminded everyone why he remains one of the greatest players to ever play the game. Japan's 4-0 win was another special moment because it showcased how far Asian football has progressed,' he said.

The New Generation: Mbappé and Haaland Step Up

Kylian Mbappé marked a personal milestone at this tournament, becoming the tenth French player in history to reach a century of international appearances. He sits joint second on the all-time World Cup scoring chart alongside Miroslav Klose on 16 goals, just two behind new record-holder Messi.

Erling Haaland has also made an emphatic entrance on the World Cup stage, becoming the first player since Harry Kane in 2018 to score multiple goals in his first two World Cup matches — and only the sixth overall to achieve the feat. The Norway striker has scored four goals in Group I alone.

No Rivalry Between Generations, Says Chhetri

Chhetri was emphatic that the transition between eras should be celebrated rather than contested. 'I don't think there is a rivalry between the generations. Messi and Ronaldo have created their own legacy, while Mbappe, Haaland and others will create their own stories. As a neutral, just watch them and enjoy. You never know how many more opportunities you'll get to see Messi and Ronaldo on a stage like this,' he said.

He also noted that the tournament's marquee strikers had collectively delivered beyond expectations. 'I think none of them have disappointed. Messi, Ronaldo, Haaland, Mbappé, Harry Kane, Isak, Gyokeres — all the strikers who were talked about before the tournament have delivered. It's not very common for all the big names to come to the party so early in a major tournament, and that's been amazing for football fans,' Chhetri concluded.

With the group stage still unfolding, the FIFA World Cup 2026 is shaping up as a landmark edition — potentially the last for two of the sport's all-time greats, and the first true coming-out party for those set to define the next decade.