Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo expressed a similar sentiment that their time on the pitch may soon be coming to a close.
Now in the twilight of their careers, Messi and Ronaldo have taken their talents to Major League Soccer and the Saudi Pro League, respectively. Though the pair of football superstars have continued to dominate with their new clubs, they both know that it won’t be long before they’re forced to hang up the cleats.
Last July, Messi made the transition over to the United States, signing with Inter Miami following a 20-year stint playing in Europe for Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain. In 12 matches this year, he’s amassed 12 goals and 13 assists, making him a heavy favourite for the Supporters’ Shield.
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Speaking to ESPN Argentina , Messi conceded that Inter Miami is likely “going to be my last club,” adding that “there’s not a lot of time left” in his career.
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“I’ve done this all of my life,” the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner said. “I love playing ball. I enjoy the practices and the day-to-day, the games. Yeah, there’s a bit of fear that it’s all ending. It’s always there. It was a difficult step leaving Europe to come here [Miami].”
After propelling Argentina to a 2022 World Cup victory in Qatar, Messi revealed the feat has provided him a new outlook on life - one that allows him to cherish the remaining time he’s got left playing.
Cristiano Ronaldo expressed excitement towards playing in his sixth European Championship (Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)"The fact we won the World Cup helped, it helped a lot, to see things in another way,” he said. “But I try not to think about it. I try to enjoy it. I do that more now because I'm aware that there's not a lot of time left. So I have a good time with the club, being lucky having good teammates and friends at my side.
“I enjoy my time with the national team, where I also have good friends, too, and a lot. I enjoy those small details that I know I'll miss when I stop playing.”
Like Messi, Ronaldo is well aware that his football career is nearing its end. After netting two goals in Portugal’s last Euro 2024 warm-up match against Ireland, the 39-year-old expressed excitement ahead of his sixth - and perhaps final - European Championship.
“I know I don't have many years of football left," Ronaldo said. “It's a gift to play year after year, after 35. I'm 39 and every year is about enjoying [myself]. To score for the national team is special. The national team is the love of my life, winning the Euros would be a dream.”
In his first full season since inking a mega-deal with Al Nassr in December 2022, Ronaldo recorded 11 assists and 35 goals - the most ever scored in the Saudi Pro League. He will now turn his attention to captaining Portugal, an honour that he will always cherish.
"For me, playing for the national team is a passion, a love," he said. "Any game is special, a European Championship is special, it will be my sixth, which is also a record.
"Playing in 2004, when I made my [European Championship] debut, or playing today, the feeling is always of pride and passion. It doesn't get any better than this."
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