We are witnessing the finale FIFA World Cup with two off soccerall time greats Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
While Messi has not officially closed the door on the possibility of not playing in the tournament again in four years, Ronaldo has announced that this will be his last World Cup. And that has led to questions about when Ronaldo will decide to hang up his cleats.
Now, another footballer weighs in and believes the Portuguese GOAT, who is two years older than Messi, is waiting to see when the Argentinian GOAT decides to call it a career.
Speaking on behalf of HypeEx-Man Utd and Ecuador star Antonio Valencia told Showbiz Cheat Sheet, “I think Ronaldo and Messi are almost waiting for each other. It’s like, ‘You retire first.’ I think they’re both waiting to see who retires first. Cristiano still looks very motivated to me. He looks good.”
“Messi also plays in a league that, for me, has improved a lot but is not as competitive as the European leagues, so that might allow him to continue a little longer. I don’t know, one more year, two more years… But there also comes a time when being focused for so many years wears you down. Still, they are machines and they’ve had incredible careers.”
Valencia added: “It’s a bit sad to think that Ronaldo and Messi, two legends, two players who have left such an incredible mark on football, could play their last World Cup. I don’t think they will be able to play another one. But you never know, because physically they both still look good. I think age is just a number. If you take care of yourself and do things properly, you can continue to play.
“It would be sad, but I think they can both have a good World Cup. Messi is a different kind of player. Cristiano is a competitive player, someone who loves to win trophies. I hope they both have a good World Cup and enjoy it. I have great affection for both of them, for the way they are and for the message they send to them: to be professional, honest, and to have many things right for both.”
One footballer who will be back for another World Cup is Kylian Mbappé. The France captain has drawn comparisons with Messi and Ronaldo, but another former player says Mbappe has a long way to go before he is at their level.
Speaking on behalf of BOYLE Sports, which offers the latest WC oddsformer Chelsea and France star Florent Malouda told Showbiz Cheat Sheet: “I think in terms of numbers he is chasing them but he has a long way to go because of their longevity. Those two players we have to enjoy while they are still playing because I remember playing against them and they are still playing.”
According to Malouda, “Mbappé will be inspired by them. The way he takes care of himself can give him a chance to chase them and participate in as many World Cups as they did. And also, I think to be in the same comparison, he would also need to win a couple of Ballon d’Ors. I think he would be judged on this, what they have done as the best players in the world to prove that he wants it for so long.”
