16 | Lionel Messi (2014) and Cristiano Ronaldo (2018)

With the two greatest players of their generation playing in what may be their final World Cup campaigns, Brian revisits their best moments in the tournament. We'll also talk about the most riveting athlete rivalries in sports. How did Messi and Ronaldo come to be as inextricably linked as Bird and Magic, Ali and Frazier, and Federer and Nadal? And does it really matter whether they ever win a World Cup?  Host: Brian Phillips Producers: Devon Renaldo, Mike Wargon, Conor Nevins and Vikram Patel  Sound Design and Original Music: Devon Renaldo  Mixing and Mastering: Scott Somerville Match footage from FIFA  Also available in Spanish and Portuguese  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Om Podcasten

There’s nothing quite like a soccer goal. As the 22nd Men's World Cup approaches in November 2022, this podcast takes a look back at the history of the World Cup, through the lens of 22 of the most iconic goals ever scored in the greatest sporting event on earth. Listen along as The Ringer’s Brian Phillips leads you on a breathless tour of nearly a century of World Cup history—from triumphs to tragedies, and everything in between.   This is not a soccer podcast, it’s a history book on a rocket ship to the moon. (OK, fine, it is technically also a soccer podcast.) 22 Goals is also available in Spanish and Portuguese.