“Ronaldo fans think he would survive these?”, “They’re scared of what Messi is about to do” - Fans react to condition of pitch during Argentina clash

Lionel Messi's fans took to social media to wonder how his eternal rival Cristiano Ronaldo would manage if he had to play on the surface the Argentine icon played on recently. The reigning World Cup winners faced Venezuela in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers on Thursday (October 10) in poor conditions at the Estadio Monumental de Maturin.

Before the game, enraged fans took to social media to lambast the venue and the quality of the pitch, with one user on X saying:

"Ronaldo fans think Ronaldo would survive all these? They would have written their f00!ish thread on how the organizers are sabotaging the stadium so Cristiano won't have a great game lmaoo. When Messi complains about the pitch, can you see now?"

Another fan's post suggested that the hosts were trying to stop the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner.

"They’re scared of what Messi is about to do, what a strategy to stop him," the user wrote.

A user was baffled at the state of the pitch, as they wrote:

"Never seen this before."

Another post insisted that even the late Argentine legend, Diego Armando Maradona, did not have to play on such poor pitches in the 80's.

"Not even Maradona played in this sh*t lol," they wrote.

A fan blasted those who opine that the Barcelona legend would be unable to perform in the English Premier League.

"And I hear people saying Messi couldn't play in the epl," they wrote.

The final post in our selection described the pitch as 'unfit,' writing:

"That field was a disgrace. Unfit for a WCQ."

The match ended a 1-1 draw at the final whistle after a Salomon Rondon equalizer (65') overturned a Nicolas Otamendi opener (13'). La Pulga played the entire 90 minutes and saw his team remain at the top of the qualification standings after nine games (six wins, two losses, and a draw).

Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal will face Poland on Saturday (October 12) in the UEFA Nations League.

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"Truly the absolute absolute absolute best ever" - Arjen Robben weighs in on Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo GOAT debate

Former Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, and Chelsea winger Arjen Robben has thrown his hat in the ring in the ever-raging debate between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo's status as the football GOAT. The duo are arguably two of the greatest players of all time.

Speaking on the TOUZANI YouTube channel, the retired winger picked the former Barcelona forward, saying (via The Mirror):

"You mentioned a few really big names who are very good at it. When I talk about it with the guys. The best ever. The best. Truly the absolute absolute absolute best ever, I always ask 'does he use tricks?' And then the answer is no. Messi of course, he doesn't have tricks up his sleeve. He just does everything quickly. He has control, speed, and agility."

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo remain active in the sport, albeit at the twilight of their impressive careers at 37 and 39 years old, respectively.