However, former football player Tonito warns that achieving the level of Mess and Ronaldos requires a stability that very few players in history have been able to witness for decades.

The impassable barrier of the <x0-worlds”

Messy and Ronaldo dominated the world scene for almost 20 years, setting records that for many seemed impossible.

For Tonito, the former sporting champion, the two stars stand at an isolated level, which the younger generation can hardly achieve, regardless of the individual talent it possesses.

“Lieonel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are on another scale. To talk about other footballers, we need to see if they can keep that level for so many years. We have to see him to believe him. This is the big challenge for Yamal, Kylian Mbarppe, Erling Haaland and others: they are good, but they must show whether they are capable of making history and reaching those level”, the 49-year-old former midfielder said in an interview for Lusa.

Life expectancy challenge for Lamine Yamal

Yamal has broken records in Barcelona and with Spain's nationals, while already winning Euro-2024 and the award as the new best tournament player.

However, Tonito points out that the real test is not the initial luster, but the ability to maintain elite performance for as long as Messy and Ronaldo have done. That, according to him, separates the big players from the immortals.

“We are in a new phase and there are players trying to dominate the new football, racing to see if they can achieve the exploits of those two gods. We'll see where they can go. It was fortunate that Mess and Ronaldo appeared at the same time and did something I believe no one else will, even though I may be wrong”, Tonito added.

Tactual Duel on Iberian derby

With the confrontation between Portugal and Spain in the 1/8th round of the World Cup final, Tonito also analyzed the evolution of “La Rojas”

Although Lamine Yamal remains the main threat, the former football player notes that the absence of Nico Williams, or his fall in shape, could change the offensive dynamic of Louis de la Fuentes' team.

According to him, Spain may become less vertical and more oriented toward ball ownership.

“Nico Williams is not in his best shape, comes after a difficult time and may not play. Spain is expected to have the same title formation as in the last match, while Álex Baena does not offer the same depth that Nico gives. It will be a team just as strong, but with different character, less vertical and more combinative. However, on the Nemal side, you can be sure that the speed will be there”, he said.

Portugal favoured by individual quality

Despite Spain's defensive stability, which has taken no aim in five World Cup matches, Tonito believes Portugal has more depth on the team.

For the former midfielder, the variety of options that Roberto Martínez has puts Portugal a step forward in terms of individual talent in all departments.

“Yal is one of the best players in the world, but Spain does not have so many individual diversity, while Portugal has shown this in teams and in all its departments. If he manages to release the best version, both individually and collectively, I'm sure Portugal will pass this duel. Spain knows it will face one of its strongest” teams, Tonito concluded.