'Nobody gives you anything' - Ronaldo warns Messi must secure first World Cup triumph

Brazilian great Ronaldo says Lionel Messi's incredible achievements don't mean he deserves to win the World Cup and the Argentina captain must deserve his shot at glory.

Messi provided a goal and an assist as Argentina beat the Netherlands on penalties in the last eight, and he will be hoping to lead the Albiceleste to their sixth World Cup final when they will face Croatia in Tuesday's semi-final.

The Paris Saint-Germain striker has taken on a talismanic role in Qatar, with his return of six goal contributions - four goals and two assists - only bettered by Kylian Mbappe, who has five goals and two assists.

Messi has both scored and assisted in two different games at this World Cup, and in three games of the tournament in total. Since 1966, no player has done it four times.

While praising Messi's performances, Ronaldo warned that lifting the World Cup would not be easy for the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner.

"We all deserve it. Nobody gives you anything, not even for your story," Ronaldo told reporters on Monday.

"Argentina are not playing very well, but they play together, they are aggressive and then there is Messi, who is decisive when he is close to the box. He now sprints less than before.< /p>

"At the beginning of his career he made 30 plays and now he makes 10, but he is always decisive. As soon as he gets the ball and he sees spaces, or he is in the surface, it's a killer.

“Would I be happy if Messi won the World Cup? Of course, I would be happy for him, but there is a big rivalry between Brazil and Argentina.

"I'm not going to be hypocritical and say that I would be happy for Argentina, that's not true!"

Messi will equal Lothar Matthaus' record of 25 World Cup appearances when he takes to the pitch on Tuesday, while a goal would see the 35-year-old surpass Gabriel's tally of 10 World Cup goals Batistuta for the Albiceleste.

While Argentina remain in contention for a third World Cup triumph, arch-rivals Brazil lost in the quarter-finals after losing a dramatic penalty shoot-out to Croatia.< /p>

Neymar's decision to take Brazil's fifth and final penalty - a spot-kick that never happened due to Rodrygo and Marquinhos' failed conversion - drew criticism, but Ronaldo won't take it not consider it an error.

"I don't agree with any of the penalty shootout theories," he said. "I think changing the streak...it's extremely tricky for you to approach a player and show him that you don't trust him, by asking someone else to take his place.

"That doesn't exist in football, in a group where everyone has full confidence in the coach and the nation.

“You come in and ask to change, that's a big nonsense. Those who support this theory don't understand the dynamics of a group.”

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