If you want to know just how much more popular Lionel Messi has become relative to Cristiano Ronaldo in the four years since Messi led Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title, just look at the discourse over two recent controversial VAR decisions.

First, there was Folarin Balogun’s replay-induced red card in the United States’ 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina for his studs-exposed challenge on star Bosnian defender Tarik Muharemovic.

As Brazilian referee Raphael Claus reviewed the pitchside monitor and ultimately determined Balogun had met the standard for serious foul play, fans took note of Messi’s similar challenge in Argentina’s opener against Algeria.

Often, they did so in the context of arguing that Balogun shouldn’t be punished because Messi wasn’t, and thus clearly had done nothing wrong.

Fast forward almost exactly 24 hours, and fans were again crashing out over replay and computer chip technology pretty clearly showing Mario Pasalic was offside in the buildup to Croatia’s apparent miracle equalizer against Ronaldo’s Portugal.

Croatia have already defied all expectations by reaching two World Cup final fours and one final. Portugal hasn’t reached a semifinal since Ronaldo was 21. And yet the public was clearly on the Croats’ side.

There are very real reasons to be wary of technology-infused officiating at the World Cup. In particular, it can actually exacerbate inherent biases when officials use it unevenly, consciously or subconsciously, depending on the team it impacts. (See, for example, England vs. Ghana.)

But like everything else in sports, these gripes also expose our biases. And in 2026, our biases are unabashedly pro-Messi, anti-Ronaldo.

The question, then, is whether there’s anything left that could change the equation, or if this is just how it will be for the rest of history, similar to how Jordan eventually got the better of Thomas, or how Ali eventually conquered Frazier.

It certainly feels unlikely that this version of Ronaldo, now 41 and limited to a line-leading center forward role, can transform opinions with his play.

Yes, he scored the leveler from the penalty spot, and before that had a really classy potential equalizer disallowed for being fractionally offside. But he also finished the match with only one touch in the penalty area — his penalty conversion — and was pulled off in the 81st minute with Roberto Martinez seeking a winning goal.

Martinez’s bravery was then rewarded when Goncalo Ramos headed home four minutes into stoppage time, setting a dangerous precedent for Ronaldo’s influence in this World Cup.

Sure, there are up to four more games left for Portugal. Sure, Ronaldo could get on a heater and propel Portugal to its first-ever World Cup title.

There’s also no rule against Cape Verde going out and beating Argentina 3-0 on Friday evening. But I wouldn’t lay money down on it.

As for whether Messi could ever estrange the fans he’s won over? His quietness makes that pretty hard to imagine.

As a younger player, that soft-spoken nature annoyed fans who believed his lack of demonstrative leadership was keeping him from accomplishing goals, particularly with the Argentine national team. Now as a 39-year-old veteran, it’s the gift that keeps on giving, permitting fans to believe whatever they want about him. And most people want to believe he’s some sort of quasi-religious football deity.

Argentina may exit the World Cup earlier than we expect. Portugal may at last make a deep run or even win their first-ever title.

But the battle in fans’ hearts and minds feels complete. No VAR review is going to change that.

Tim Hardaway finished his 13-season NBA career with 7,095 assists, nearly 5,000 more than Larry Nance collected over that span.

Nance still holds the head-to-head edge in unofficial, off-court helpers, however, and it isn’t close — although Hardaway and his son, Tim Jr., apparently remain so despite recent doings.

Faced with an opportunity to channel Nance and allow his child to unretire a number he once wore, “Tim Bug” essentially said “Humbug!” to the prospect of Hardaway Jr. donning No. 10 for the Miami Heat, with whom he signed Tuesday.

Is it unfair to cast the elder Hardaway in a Scrooge-like light, even facetiously? Probably. What it is, though, is interesting. Engaging. In other words, something the first few days of the free-agency carousel command.

We figure to learn where LeBron James lands soon enough. There looks to be a short list of viable suitors for the superstar, who is seeking to play a 24th NBA season after informing the Los Angeles Lakers he won’t be returning in purple and gold.

One oft-estimated spot for LBJ is Miami, which James helped to two championships and four Finals appearances from 2010-11 to 2013-14.

No Heat teammate wore No. 10 during James’ tenure in South Beach. In fact, no one has since Miami shipped the elder Hardaway to the Dallas Mavericks in 2001.

The Heat retired Hardaway’s No. 10 in October 2009, when Junior was preparing for a senior year at Miami’s Palmetto High that preceded a star turn at Michigan and a durable pro career that’s still going – 893 games with five teams.

Hardaway Jr. donned his dad’s number with the Wolverines and over parts of his 13 NBA seasons. But it’s no dice in Miami.

“My legacy is my legacy, and he’s doing it his way,” Hardaway Sr. told Miami’s WQAM radio on Wednesday. “Even though he likes to wear 10, he loves to wear 10, but that is not coming down from the rafters.”

It was nearly 8 ½ years ago when Larry Nance Jr. encountered far less resistance from his pops upon joining the Cleveland Cavaliers, for which Big Larry played power forward for parts of seven seasons, concluding in 1993-94.

Thanks to special permission from the NBA, Nance Jr. wore his dad’s No. 22 while the number remained in the Quicken Loans Arena rafters. He wore No. 24 for his first few games with the team before switching.

“My dad is a man of few words,” Nance Jr. said in February 2018, “so he kind of just let me know with a smile that he was excited.”

Nance Jr. also wore No. 22 in his second stint with the Cavs this season.

Hardaway Sr. ostensibly dipped into Nance Sr.’s grandstanding allotment when justifying his decision to WQAM, starting by doubling down on the notion that building a legacy that warrants a number retirement is “tough to do.”

“And when it’s up there, you want it to stay up there and you don’t want nobody to touch it,” he continued. “And you know, I love him. I love him to death. I’m happy for him. I’m living a life again watching him play, through college and the NBA. … So I’m happy that he’s doing it, but no, he can’t even wear No. 10.”

As the NBA world awaits James’ decision, one wonders what kind of perks package Bronny James might have to offer his dad to get the Lakers’ sure-to-be-retired No. 23.

Of course, LA could see this as opportunity to jettison the younger James, perhaps to LeBron’s next suitor once he finds one.

Until that shoe drops, let’s recognize Tim Hardaway Sr. — and his right to come down with both feet.