Messi and Ronaldo are approaching the end of their careers. How much longer will the two legends play?
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo dominated world football for nearly two decades, shared the sport’s biggest individual honours and fuelled one of the fiercest rivalries in sporting history. Both are now entering the final chapter of their extraordinary careers, with retirement no longer seeming far away.
The 2026 World Cup was almost certainly the final appearance for both players on the sport’s biggest international stage. Messi helped Argentina reach the final, where they lost to Spain, while Ronaldo and Portugal were eliminated in the round of 16.
The remaining question is how much longer they will continue at club level and whether they will see out their current contracts. Messi is 39 and plays for Inter Miami in MLS, while Ronaldo, now 41, represents Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League.
The 2026 World Cup may have been the last for both players
Portugal will be among the countries hosting the 2030 World Cup, but Ronaldo’s participation appears extremely unlikely. The striker will be 45 by then, while Messi will be approaching his 43rd birthday.
Their comments following the 2026 tournament suggest that both players understand their World Cup journeys have ended. Ronaldo has already confirmed that he will not take part in another edition, although he has not announced his immediate retirement from international football.
Messi’s situation is also influenced by his physical condition. The Argentina captain admitted that he was not fully fit during the tournament and had pushed his body beyond its limits in an attempt to win another world title.
Their contracts could keep them playing beyond 2026
Although their World Cup journeys appear to be over, Messi and Ronaldo may still have more time left at club level.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s contract with Al-Nassr runs until the end of the season. Reports published after the extension he signed in 2025 also suggested that the agreement contains an option that could keep him at the club until the summer of 2028.
Lionel Messi’s contractual situation is clearer. His deal with Inter Miami runs until December 2028, giving him the opportunity to spend another two seasons in MLS.
However, the length of their contracts does not guarantee that both players will remain on the pitch until 2028. Fitness, injuries, motivation and personal ambitions will all play decisive roles in determining their futures.
Messi will listen to his body before making a decision
Lionel Messi has always been more reserved when discussing retirement. The Argentine has not set a specific date and has explained that his decision will depend on whether he continues to enjoy playing and feels capable of helping his team.
In March 2024, Messi outlined the criteria that would determine when he brings his career to an end.
“I know that the moment I feel that I am no longer able to perform, that I no longer enjoy or help my team-mates, I will quit,” he said in March 2024.
“I’m very self-critical. I know when I’m good, when I’m bad, when I’m playing well, and when I’m playing badly.
“When I feel it’s time to take that step, I’ll take it without thinking about age. If I feel good, I’ll always try to keep competing because it’s what I like and what I know how to do.
“I haven’t yet thought of what I’m going to do when I retire. Today, I try to enjoy the day-to-day, the moments, without thinking about life after football.”
His message made it clear that age would not be the main consideration. Messi is prepared to continue for as long as he feels competitive, enjoys the game and believes he can play an important role for his team-mates.
His father’s death changed his perspective
The death of his father was a devastating blow for Lionel Messi. Following the loss, the Argentine published an emotional message suggesting that his future in football had become far more uncertain.
“I don’t know how to carry on. I used to just play football, and now I’m really not sure if I’ll carry on doing it for much longer,” he wrote on social media.
“You were by my side from the very beginning. We were so close to the end. Why didn’t you hang in there just a little longer so we could finish this together?”
Messi had hoped to dedicate another World Cup triumph to his father. Argentina reached the final but were beaten by Spain, after which the South American star admitted that he had exhausted his physical resources.
“I wanted to win it so I could bring the trophy to you and show you a new one. I couldn’t, my legs had nothing left. This time I tried to push past my physical limits, but I couldn’t. I never managed to feel right.”
Those words increased the uncertainty over whether he would continue his career. His Inter Miami contract allows him to play until the end of 2028, but his final decision will depend on how he recovers both physically and emotionally.
Ronaldo speaks openly about approaching retirement
Cristiano Ronaldo has offered more clues about when he may decide to stop playing. The Portuguese forward has acknowledged that retirement is approaching, although he continues to score goals, represent his country and pursue remarkable personal records.
In November, Ronaldo suggested that retirement could come “soon” before explaining what the word meant to him.
“Soon for me means in 10 years… No, I’m joking.
“I’m really enjoying the moment right now. As you know, in football, when you reach some age, you count the months very quick.
“I feel very good in this moment. I score goals, I still feel quick and sharp. I’m enjoying my game in the national team. But of course, let’s be honest. What I mean by soon is probably one or two years.”
His comments suggest that retirement could come in 2027 or 2028. That timescale would also fit with the potential extension of his Al-Nassr contract.
Ronaldo remains driven by his pursuit of 1,000 goals
One of Cristiano Ronaldo’s biggest remaining ambitions is to reach 1,000 goals in his professional career. The striker has made no secret of his desire to achieve that milestone and has admitted that the target will influence the timing of his retirement.
“It’s hard to continue playing, but I am motivated,” he said in December.
“My passion is high and I want to continue. It doesn’t matter where I play, whether in the Middle East or Europe. I always enjoy playing football and I want to keep going.
“You know what my goal is. I want to win trophies and I want to reach that number [1,000 goals] that you all know. I will reach the number for sure, if no injuries.”
Ronaldo believes he can reach his target if he remains healthy. Injury appears to be the biggest obstacle standing between him and the historic milestone.
Messi may also be capable of reaching 1,000 goals, although the Argentine has not presented that achievement as a condition for continuing his career. His physical condition and enjoyment of the game appear to matter more to him than chasing a particular number.
Ronaldo has not decided whether to retire from international football
Before Portugal’s victory over Croatia in the World Cup round of 32, Ronaldo’s sister suggested that the tournament could be his final competition with the national team.
The forward dismissed the speculation immediately after the match and insisted that he would not make a decision in the heat of the moment.
“My future isn’t important right now. I’ll have time, after winning or losing, I’ll talk to my family and then make the best decision.
“I don’t make decisions in the heat of the moment anymore. Now, everything is done calmly. It’s about enjoying the present.”
Portugal were subsequently eliminated in the round of 16, but Ronaldo did not announce his retirement from international football. He only confirmed that his World Cup journey had come to an end.
“I did my best and I’m leaving with a clear conscience. It was my last World Cup, yes, but I’ll now have time to reflect and be with my family. I won’t be making any rash decisions.”
Two more years could write the final chapter of a historic rivalry
Messi and Ronaldo could continue playing until 2028, the year in which the Argentine’s Inter Miami contract expires and the potential extension of the Portuguese star’s agreement with Al-Nassr would also come to an end.
Neither player has announced a precise date for retiring from professional football. Ronaldo has indicated that he could continue for another one or two years and remains focused on reaching 1,000 career goals. Messi prefers to assess his physical condition and ability to help his team before deciding how long to continue.
The final years of their careers will be watched with enormous interest. Football is preparing for the moment when two of its greatest figures finally leave the pitch, but Messi and Ronaldo still have ambitions to fulfil before bringing their extraordinary journeys to an end.
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