World Cup Stars: Messi and Vinicius shine, Ronaldo struggles
The 2026 World Cup group stage featured standout performances from veteran stars and rising talents, while some legends underperformed.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Author: Bryan Berlin
The group stage of the 2026 World Cup has highlighted the elite stars of world football. Lionel Messi emerged as the standout performer, scoring six goals in three matches to become the tournament's top scorer and the highest goalscorer in the competition's history.
Vinicius Junior also made a strong statement, shaking off previous doubts about his national team form. The Brazilian forward netted four goals and provided an assist, placing him level with other elite attackers like Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappé, and Ousmane Dembélé.
Conversely, Cristiano Ronaldo struggled to find his rhythm during Portugal's group phase, scoring only twice against Uzbekistan. Despite Portugal securing a place in the knockout stages, the forward’s form has been a subject of criticism.
Young talents Lamine Yamal and Jamal Musiala have yet to make a significant impact, each recording only one goal so far. As the tournament moves to the knockout phase, the pressure on these stars to deliver in high-stakes matches will intensify.