WWE star CM Punk picks Lionel Messi over Cristiano Ronaldo as FIFA World Cup 2026 matchup possible
(Courtesy : Getty)
CM Punk has partaken in the debate of who the GOAT is.
Amid his ongoing absence from WWE Television since April, post WrestleMania, former World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk recently made an appearance on The Late Run show.
During the appearance, Punk was asked to weigh in on one of football’s greatest debates, Lionel Messi versus Cristiano Ronaldo. Admitting he wasn’t interested in comparing their statistics, the WWE star ultimately chose Messi as his favorite.
“Comparatively speaking, I can’t do a stat battle between them because I grew up in the era of Michael Jordan’s dynasty with the Chicago Bulls. It’s hard for me to go tit for tat; I can’t really argue, but to me, it’s Messi,” Punk said.
The debate on Rolando vs Messi is once again at the epicenter for football fans as the FIFA World Cup 2026 continues.
If Messi’s Argentina and Rolando’s Portugal both finish top of their respective groups and win their Round of 32 matches (knockout games), Messi and Ronaldo could meet in a blockbuster World Cup quarter-final.
Such a showdown between two of football’s greatest icons would rank among the biggest and most anticipated matches in FIFA World Cup history.
CM Punk’s absence continues as SummerSlam approaches
‘The Second City Saint’ CM Punk has been absent from WWE programming since the WrestleMania 42 fallout show of Monday Night Raw. Amid his absence, rumors started circulating about his WWE exit, amid potential fallout with the company.
However, those rumours were debunked by reports, which also suggested that Punk is expected to return to television next month and be involved in a significant storyline leading into SummerSlam 2026, with plans for him to play a major role at the PLE.
The report also added that he is expected to return on or before July 6. The July 6 Raw is scheduled to take place at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois, near Punk’s hometown of Chicago.
The 2026 edition of SummerSlam will take place over two nights, on Saturday, August 1, and Sunday, August 2, 2026, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
Who did CM Punk choose between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo?
CM Punk picked Messi when asked to choose between the two football legends, saying he wasn’t interested in comparing their statistics.
Could Messi and Ronaldo face each other at the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
Yes, if Argentina and Portugal both finish top of their groups and win their respective Round of 32 matches, they could meet in the quarter-finals.
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Abhijit Singh is a budding sports journalist with over three years of experience in the field, and a photographer capturing stories through his lens since 2018. With a background in philosophy and political science, he brings a thoughtful, analytical edge to his reporting where every word is guided by curiosity and intent. Whether he's capturing the emotion of a moment or unpacking the deeper narratives within the game, Abhijit’s work is rooted in insight and passion. When he’s not covering sports, he’s often exploring new ideas through reading, traveling or just procrastinating.