‘None of them have disappointed’: Chhetri lauds Messi and Ronaldo’s performance in FIFA World Cup

Former India captain Sunil Chhetri praised Cristiano Ronaldo's and Lionel Messi’s performances at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He applauded the brilliance of seasoned players while also praising the new generation of impactful strikers such as Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe, and Viktor Gyokeres.In a conversation with Zee5, the official broadcaster of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in India, Chhetri said, “I think none of them have disappointed. Messi, Ronaldo, Haaland, Mbappe, 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.

"

Messi has once again proved his worth on the biggest stage in football. The Argentine star claimed multiple records,including etching his name as the tournament’s all-time topscorer.Messi was not the only veteran making headlines, as Cristiano Ronaldo also delivered an impressive display . The Portuguese skipper continued to add fresh milestones to his name. Ronaldo became the second-oldest goalscorer in World Cup history at the age of 41 years and 138 days.

By netting a brace in Portugal’s match against Uzbekistan, the striker also became the first player to score in six consecutive FIFA World Cups.“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.When asked about his favourite moment of the tournament, the veteran highlighted a few standout displays, including Messi’s iconic hat-trick, Japan’s commanding 4-0 victory, and the Morocco-Scotland showdown he watched from the stands in Boston.