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Lionel Messi’s World Cup behaviour tarnishes his legacy

Cristiano Ronaldo does not have a monopoly on unsportsmanlike conduct

Letters to the Editor. Illustration: Paul Scott
The Irish Times - Letters to the Editor.
Sat Oct 10 2026 - 06:00

Sir, – Gavin Cooney says the debate between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo on who is the greatest has been settled in favour of the former (“Ronaldo v Messi debate has surely been settled – there is only one winner”, Sport, October 9th).

I’m no real fan of the Portuguese national who began his career as a winger, but Messi’s form after Argentina lost to Spain 1-0 in the 2026 World Cup final, where he and his team-mates turned their backs on the podium during Spain’s trophy presentation, was very unsportsmanlike.

Ronaldo may be soccer’s biggest crybaby, but Messi’s bad form at the World Cup has tarnished an otherwise exemplary sporting lifework. – Is mise,

TOM McELLIGOTT,

RM Block

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