Messi and Ronaldo had opposite reactions to U.S. security screening

The two biggest stars in football went through the same airport protocol, but handled it in completely different ways

Ever since Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo began sharing football's biggest stage, comparisons between them have never stopped. The debate over who is the greatest has lasted for years without a clear answer, and the reality is that it will probably never be settled.

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Despite everything they have in common, Messi and Ronaldo have always been very different. Barcelona vs. Real Madrid, Portugal vs. Argentina, goals, clubs, leagues, age, trophies—almost every part of their careers invites comparison, making it nearly impossible to measure one against the other. In the end, it often comes down to personal preference.

Even the smallest moments spark debate

Their differences also show during the World Cup. Neither player escapes the spotlight whenever Argentina or Portugal takes the field. Even though many expected this tournament to belong more to Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland or Lamine Yamal, Messi and Ronaldo continue to attract global attention, and every move they make becomes a talking point.

That even extends to the most ordinary situations. Upon arriving in the United States, both superstars had to go through airport security screenings. No one skips protocol, and even something as routine as a security check quickly became another comparison between football's two biggest icons.

Same protocol, different reactions

Cristiano Ronaldo approached the screening with a serious attitude, following the instructions from security officers while occasionally hesitating about what he needed to do next. At times, he appeared eager to speed up the process, briefly unsure about when to hand over his belongings and what needed to be placed for inspection. One security officer could even be seen reacting with an expression that suggested there were no exceptions, regardless of who he was.

Messi handled the situation in a completely different way. While his teammates were being screened, he laughed at the process, and his own inspection appeared even more thorough as he was seated while officers scanned him from head to toe. Throughout it all, he kept smiling, possibly amused by the situation itself or by the moment when Cristian "Cuti" Romero had a lighter used for preparing mate pulled out of his bag.

The atmosphere around the Argentina squad appeared much more relaxed, with players joking about the incident afterward. Fans from both Argentina and Portugal, however, felt the security measures were excessive, especially during Messi's screening. Even so, both players followed every instruction, each responding in a way that reflected their own personality.