For years, the Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo debate has enthused and divided football purists.But with the Inter Miami star shining for Argentina at this summer's World Cup, with five goals from just two matches, there might not be anything left to argue about come the end of the tournament on July 19.Many thought Qatar 2022 would be Messi's final swansong. The way he illuminated that tournament, with seven goals, it was hard to see him ever scaling such dizzying heights again.Yet here we are, just two games in to this summer's tournament, and Messi's magic is mesmerising once more. Already a World Cup winner, he is playing with the shackles off and a smile on his face. With the 38-year-old in such fantastic form, Lionel Scaloni's team are serious contenders for glory once more.TRENDINGStoriesVideosYour SayAgainst Algeria, in Argentina's first match, Messi was the star of the show. He scored a breathtaking hat-trick to blow their opponents away. Tears were shed for his father, Jorge Messi, who is struggling with his health.To mortal men, such a serious personal issue would have a profound effect on performance. But Messi, of course, is no mortal man.On Monday night, Austria were better than Algeria before them but still found no answer to his glittering genius.They were let off the hook early, with Messi spurning the chance to move ahead of Miroslav Klose in the World Cup goalscoring charts. The veteran missed a penalty after Lautaro Martinez was fouled inside the box, much to the surprise of everybody inside the Dallas Stadium.It didn't take long for him to atone for his error, however.Messi broke the deadlock in the 38th minute, producing a sumptuous, side-footed effort into the bottom corner. The finish came from just inside the box, with the Inter Miami footballer timing his run to perfection.LATEST SPORTS NEWS:Roy Keane hits out at England players after Thomas Tuchel comments at World CupLionel Messi becomes World Cup's all-time leading goalscorer after netting in Argentina and Austria matchAaron Ramsey poised to land first managerial job with EFL clubIt is exactly the type of goal that has come to define his career. Pace, poise and panache all rolled into one. Klose's record is no more. Messi is now the World Cup's highest-ever goalscorer instead.By the end of the match, he had moved two clear of his German rival.Messi played a brilliant pass to Julian Alvarez, whose effort was saved by Alexander Schlager in the Austria goal. The Inter Miami star, having drifted back into the fray, had five players in his way. After a shot was blocked, he then finished the rebound emphatically to spark wild celebrations around the ground.Even by the 38-year-old's exceptionally high standards, Messi is operating at a level above. His paranormal ability is clear for all to see.And come the end of this year's tournament, the gap between himself and Ronaldo looks likely to be wider than ever before.That isn't to throw shade at Ronaldo. For the Portugal star to be playing at this World Cup, at the grand age of 41, is a testament to his own talent and longevity. Yet based on what fans saw from the Al-Nassr star against DR Congo last Wednesday, he's already faded force.Ronaldo looked undeniably sluggish during that fixture, a shadow of the explosive, dynamic forward who once terrorised defenders in England, Spain and Italy.Against a resilient and physical DR Congo side, the 41-year-old was largely anonymous. The blistering pace that once defined his game has seemingly evaporated, replaced by a heavy-legged lethargy that left him looking completely isolated up front. He struggled to find pockets of space, his touches were uncharacteristically cumbersome, and he was repeatedly muscled off the ball with worrying ease. It was a stark, sobering performance that laid bare the cruel reality of Father Time.While Messi is rolling back the years and single-handedly orchestrating Argentina's push towards the business end of the tournament, Ronaldo looks like a man desperately fighting a losing battle against his own sporting mortality.He is simply no longer the player of old, entirely unable to dictate proceedings in the way his eternal rival still does with such effortless grace.The debate that has dominated football for nearly two decades was always built on their neck-and-neck brilliance.But as Messi continues to shine brighter than ever on the global stage, Ronaldo's light is undeniably dimming.If this World Cup was supposed to be their final, epic showdown, only one of them has truly turned up to the party.Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter