Can Cristiano Ronaldo be considered the greatest footballer of all time if he didn’t win the sport’s most prestigious trophy: the FIFA World Cup?

That’s a debate that’s surfaced after Ronaldo failed to win the World Cup on his sixth and final attempt this summer.

The 41-year-old scored three goals at this summer’s showpiece international tournament – an impressive achievement in itself given his age – but it became increasingly clear that the five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s best days are now long behind him.

Some people believe this was one major tournament too many for Ronaldo. Former Aston Villa and England forward Gabriel Agbonlahor went as far to say the veteran superstar “cost Portugal” the World Cup.

He said: “There will be a lot of players like [Bruno] Fernandes, [Joao] Neves, Vitinha, [Nuno] Mendes… they’ll be looking and thinking ‘legend of a player for the country, but because of him we’re going home’.”

Messi, Pele and Maradona All Won World Cup

Ronaldo insists that winning the European Championship with Portugal in 2016 means as much as a World Cup triumph, in his eyes.

But his status among football’s all-time greats may be affected by his failure to add the World Cup to his extensive silverware collection.

The likes of Lionel Messi, Pele and Diego Maradona – legendary players Ronaldo is often mentioned in the same breath as – all managed to win the World Cup during their own illustrious careers, playing starring roles in the process.

That his long-term rival Messi leads the race for the Golden Boot award with eight goals, aged 39, and has dragged his national team through to the quarter-finals has added further weight to the argument that the Argentina captain has settled the debate for good.

Henry’s Verdict on Ronaldo’s Legacy After World Cup Exit

REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq

However, former Arsenal and Barcelona star Thierry Henry insists Ronaldo’s “untouchable” legacy will not be negatively impacted by his failure to win the World Cup with Portugal.

“A lot of great players didn’t win the World Cup, that doesn’t define their legacy,” the Frenchman said on FOX Sports. “His legacy is untouchable.

“Whatever he’s going to decide, I wish him all the best, I wish he can pass 1000 goals, he inspired a lot of kids, especially with the way he breathes, lives and thinks football.

“Look at his body, look at how he is. He’s an example for everybody, so big man: all the very best in what you wish to do.”

Ronaldo’s Next Move Unclear

Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo looks dejected vs Spain via Reuters/Maria Lysaker

It remains to be seen whether Ronaldo will decide to call time on his extraordinary international career after 233 appearances and 146 goals.

“I’m sad to be leaving the World Cup like this,” he said after Portugal’s 1-0 defeat to Spain in the last 16. “I gave it my all. I did my best. It was my last World Cup, yes, but I’ll now have time to reflect and be with my family. I won’t be making any rash decisions.

“I don’t decide anything in the heat of the moment. Now is not important whether I will continue [to play]. Tomorrow I will get up the same way I got up today: with a clear conscience.

“I played 23 years in the national team and won three titles. Before Cristiano, Portugal had not won anything. The Euros was the most important. For me, 2016 has the same dimension as a World Cup, honestly.”

Landon Donovan has explained the real reason why the United States don’t produce better footballers after they crashed out of the 2026 World Cup.

There was optimism that the United States could go far in the competition after opening up their campaign with convincing victories against Paraguay and Australia.

A 2-0 triumph over Bosnia in the last 32, despite being reduced to 10 men following Folarin Balogun’s controversial red card, only increased that optimism.

However, Mauricio Pochettino’s side were well beaten by Belgium in the last 16. They crashed out of the competition after suffering a 4-1 defeat to the Red Devils at Seattle Stadium.

Despite being one of the biggest and richest countries in the world, the USA have never produced a world-class footballer.

Their best result on the world stage came all the way back in 1930 when they finished third. They have played in nine World Cup finals since, only going beyond the last 16 once when they were knocked out in the quarter-finals in 2002.

Donovan, considered the greatest footballer from the USA in history, has now explained exactly why they are struggling to become one of the best nations in world football.

When asked why the USA doesn’t produce better footballers, Donovan said that the high costs prevent many children from playing the sport.

“There was a study in 2016 of all the kids playing youth soccer. Let’s say there were a million kids. They broke down what the household income was, and the majority of those kids came from families earning between $100,000 and $150,000 (a year).

He added: “Someone has to pay. Somebody has to pay for the coaches, I get it. But what’s happening now is clubs are grinding every penny out of families.

“Growing up, there was zero chance I could have played club soccer. My mom made $34,000 a year. A single mom raising three kids. She couldn’t pay $4,000 for me to play soccer. Are you kidding? She couldn’t pay $400.

“I would have had zero chance, but someone let me stay on the team and paid for me. Otherwise, I couldn’t have. That’s not a good system to create good players. How do you create good players by doing that? You can’t.”

Phil Noble via Action Images via Reuters

Former Premier League footballer Stan Collymore shares the same opinion of Donovan, saying that USA will never become a football superpower when it costs so much to play. He wrote on X:

“I’m staying with one of my best mates in Miami. Had a late night conversation 2 nights ago. 2 kids that play football. $4000 per season, per child to play for a team. Why?

“US junior leagues are private enterprises (shock). The US equivalent of the Football Association offers no grassroots football, no level 1 to 3 cheap badges for Moms or Dads to take so they can coach the basics, no structure locally or nationally of organised leagues, just profiteers who start up a league, charge a fortune, and if you’re a poor Messi-esque talent from the wrong part of Miami, sure you can buy a ball and play on a patch of grass, but forget organised football, you can’t afford it.

“So imagine, in a nation of 350 million, how many kids they’re missing out on and will continue to after this successful World Cup for them. Money, greed, pay to play.

“99.9% of greats to play the game wouldn’t have made it in America. Because they couldn’t afford $4000 (plus) to play. In subs my Mom probably paid £200 total over 6 or 7 years of junior football.

“America, it’s not all about money you know, it’s about opportunity for all too. And you’re pricing generation after generation out of the chance to be a part of this incredible sport you’ve seen first hand.

“To the US Federation. Do f****** better. Organise local and national junior leagues, van profiteering, offer cheap coaching badges for parents who want to give their time for free to America’s kids. Football. Accessible to all.”

Arsenal are still intent on landing their number one attacking target, but the price could remain a problem. The Gunners have made Piero Hincapie’s move permanent and added free agent Illan Meslier, but they are yet to do any big business this summer.

Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta have their priorities clearly set out, with a left-winger and a new number 8 sitting atop the summer wishlist. But those positions are not easy to fill, and especially not for anything close to cheap.

In Arsenal’s case, with such upgrades required, the price is going to be that much more, and in eyeing Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers, they are clearly not looking to save money.

Romano on Rogers to Arsenal talks and huge asking price

Caean Couto (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters)

Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has issued an update on Arsenal’s bid to land Rogers this summer, with the versatile ‘superstar’ still at the World Cup with England currently.

“Arsenal want to sign a top winger,” he said on his YouTube show. “The name, the top priority they have in mind remains Morgan Rogers. Arsenal want to sign Morgan Rogers. The agreement with the player, from my understanding, is quite close, it’s something that Arsenal see as close, not a problem, but Aston Villa start at £130million.

“This could eventually be negotiated. We will see, but Villa start at £130million for Morgan Rogers, so very expensive. We have to see what’s going to happen in the club-to-club conversations, but Arsenal are working on the Morgan Rogers deal as a top priority.”

Arsenal will be hoping to lower their fee, but the final fee is certain to be over the club’s record £105million of Declan Rice even if Villa do compromise.

Rogers deal could force Arsenal compromise

Arsenal are not afraid to spend big, and we have seen them commit gigantic spending totals over the last couple of years. Club profits mean such spending can be continued to an extent, but Profit and Sustainability rules mean some players will need to be sold if another £200million or so is going to be spent this summer.

The Gunners also want to sign a number 8 this summer, and Bruno Guimaraes, for instance, is going to cost around £90million, or £80million on the ambitious side.

If Arsenal are going to spend £130million on Rogers, it is going to make things difficult to sign such an expensive midfielder, and signing both could pressure them into making a significant sale beyond the likes of Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus, who are likely to leave in any case. The Rogers deal is going to be an interesting decision to make for Arsenal if that £130million price tag holds strong.