Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal and Real Madrid is arguably the best player in the world. His nation, Portugal, are in fourth place in European group 1. Only the top two teams in each group can qualify for the WC (1st place automatic bid, 2nd place enters into a playoff with other group’s runner ups). Their group, which includes Sweden, Denmark, and Hungary will provide considerable resistance to a late Portuguese run.
Lionel Messi makes up the other half of the best player in the world argument. His country, Argentina, have also had a sub par qualifying performance. With their recent loss to Brazil, they sit in 4th place in South American qualifying, which is the last automatic qualifying spot. The fifth place qualifier plays the 4th place qualifier from CONCACAF, which will most likely be a very tricky Costa Rican team. With two of Argentina’s last three qualifying games against formidable opponents, they very well could find themselves on the outside looking in.
If both Messi and C. Ronaldo miss the World Cup, will the tournament lose any luster? For a tournament which boasts about featuring the best players and best teams, what will it mean if the two best players in the world are not present?
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