As Austria prepares for its critical Group J match against Argentina on Monday, goalkeeper Alexander Schlager has stirred the pre-match conversation by openly declaring his admiration for Cristiano Ronaldo over Lionel Messi.

The 30-year-old shot-stopper, who played a key role in Austria's 3-1 victory over Jordan in their tournament opener, made the revelation during a press conference ahead of the highly anticipated Dallas showdown . When asked about the Argentine captain, Schlager did not hesitate to state, "I am more of a Cristiano Ronaldo guy" .

However, the Red Bull Salzburg goalkeeper was careful to avoid any disrespect toward the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner. Despite his personal preference, Schlager offered effusive praise for the 38-year-old Argentine superstar, acknowledging his remarkable longevity and sustained excellence at the highest level of the sport .

"To say something negative about him or to even try to do so would be nonsense," Schlager told reporters . "He is a player that has performed at a peak level for so long. He has an amazing presence, and his teammates can clearly feel it on the pitch. The energy he generates when he is on the field is incredible. That is why I am so excited to face him and try to stop him" .

Argentina enters the match with immense momentum after a dominant 3-0 victory over Algeria in its opening fixture. Messi delivered a historic performance, scoring his first World Cup hat-trick and matching German legend Miroslav Klose's all-time record of 16 World Cup goals . The Argentine captain also became the first player in history to appear in six World Cup tournaments, further cementing his legendary status .

A victory for Lionel Scaloni's side on Monday would secure Argentina's place in the knockout stage, continuing its defense of the World Cup title won in 2022 . The defending champions are expected to field a strong lineup, with Emiliano "Dibu" Martinez in goal, a defensive unit that may include the returning Nicolas Tagliafico, and a midfield anchored by Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernandez, and Alexis Mac Allister .

The primary question for Argentina remains who will partner Messi in attack. Lautaro Martinez started against Algeria but struggled to make an impact, while Julian Alvarez impressed during his substitute appearance and could earn a starting spot against the Austrians . Thiago Almada is also in contention for a role alongside the captain.

Austria, under the guidance of manager Ralf Rangnick, represents a formidable obstacle. The Austrians are playing in their first World Cup in 28 years and have shown they possess both organization and defensive resilience. With a win already in hand against Jordan, Austria is well-positioned to challenge for advancement from Group J and could even secure its own qualification with a positive result on Monday.

Schlager's comments have added an intriguing subplot to the already compelling matchup. His admiration for Ronaldo is particularly notable given the contrasting fortunes the two superstars have experienced in this tournament. While Messi dazzled with his hat-trick against Algeria, Ronaldo and Portugal could only manage a disappointing 1-1 draw against the Democratic Republic of Congo in their opening match . The Portuguese captain has now gone 10 consecutive international matches without scoring, highlighting the starkly different narratives for the two players at this tournament .

Nevertheless, the Austrian goalkeeper's respect for Messi was clearly genuine and professionally measured, reflecting the universal acknowledgment of the Argentine's extraordinary talent and influence. Schlager's assessment emphasized the challenge his team faces in containing the player widely regarded as the greatest in football history.

The match in Dallas carries significant implications for both teams. For Argentina, victory would mean early qualification and the opportunity to rest players in the final group match against Jordan. For Austria, a result against the reigning world champions would be a massive statement of intent and would put the team in a strong position to advance to the knockout round for the first time since 1978.

As the football world turns its attention to Dallas, the focus will inevitably fall on Messi, who stands on the brink of becoming the sole all-time leading scorer in World Cup history. A single goal would be enough to break Klose's record and further solidify his status as the most prolific goalscorer in the tournament's history . The combined weight of that possibility, alongside Schlager's Ronaldo endorsement, ensures a compelling storyline for a match that promises both high drama and elite-level football.

The clash of styles between Argentina's fluid attack and Austria's disciplined, compact defense will likely determine the outcome. Whether Messi can breach Schlager's goal and claim the record outright remains one of the most tantalizing questions of the tournament's group stage.