Former Netherlands footballer Wesley Sneijder has sparked debate after claiming that Argentina were “lucky” to win the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. While Lionel Messi’s triumph with Argentina is widely seen as the crowning achievement of his illustrious career, Sneijder suggested that the victory was not entirely down to dominance on the pitch.
Speaking during an interaction with AdventureGamers, the former Real Madrid midfielder argued that Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal have a stronger shot at winning the 2026 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. According to him, the Portuguese squad is better positioned than Argentina to lift the trophy next year.
The Dutch legend said that Portugal currently boast a “very strong team” and should be counted among the favourites for the upcoming edition of the tournament. “For me, they are one of the favourites, so I would say Cristiano Ronaldo has the stronger chance of winning the next World Cup compared to Lionel Messi,” Sneijder said.
Reflecting on Argentina’s success in 2022, he added: “It was a great World Cup for Argentina in Qatar, but they were a bit lucky as well. I think overall Portugal is a better team.”
Portugal, who recently thrashed Armenia 9-1 to secure qualification, are expected to feature Cristiano Ronaldo in what will be his sixth World Cup appearance. The 41-year-old superstar has previously confirmed that the 2026 World Cup will be his last in national colours.
However, Ronaldo will begin the tournament on the sidelines, as he is set to miss Portugal’s opening two matches. He received a three-match ban after being sent off during the qualifiers against Ireland, causing him to miss the game against Armenia as well.
Meanwhile, Lionel Messi has not yet clarified whether he will participate in the 2026 edition. The 38-year-old Argentine captain has repeatedly stated that factors such as age, fitness, and form will determine his decision. While he hasn’t ruled out the possibility of playing, Messi has maintained that he will take the call “day by day,” committing only if he feels capable of delivering at his own high standards.