When mentioning the two great icons of modern world football, it is impossible not to think of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo - two names that have become legends in the hearts of millions of fans. Every time they take the field, it is a remarkable sporting event, and both have created unforgettable miracles in their careers. However, the question "who will retire first Messi or Ronaldo?" is being discussed a lot in the football world today. Will Messi, who has just conquered the peak of the 2022 World Cup, be the one to end his career first, or will Ronaldo, who is constantly pursuing his World Cup dream, continue to fight until when? Let's find out with Win Betting Tips through the article below!
Lionel Messi and the pinnacle of his career
On December 18, 2022, Lionel Messi and the Argentina team won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. This is not only a title but also the pinnacle of "Leo's" career. For Messi, this victory not only brought joy to the whole country of Argentina but also a historic milestone in world football. By winning the World Cup, Messi completed his collection of personal titles, conquering every peak in his career, including 7 Golden Balls, winning the Copa America, titles at the club level and countless personal records.
After this victory, Messi said: "I have achieved everything in football, nothing more". These words made many fans worry about whether Messi's motivation was still big enough for him to continue playing at the top. This was even more understandable when Messi decided to leave Europe to join Inter Miami in the US. Messi has reportedly signed a two-year contract with David Beckham's team, with an option to extend for another year. This could be seen as a turning point in Messi's career, as he moves to a more relaxed football environment after years of fighting in Europe's top leagues.
On June 24, 2025, Messi will turn 37, and his peak football career is nearing its end. Messi has maintained impressive form for Paris Saint-Germain before leaving, but it is clear that he is no longer concerned with club titles. If he maintains his passion in the following years, Messi may play out his contract with Inter Miami, and perhaps not participate in the 2026 World Cup.
Cristiano Ronaldo and the final World Cup dream
While Messi has conquered all the peaks, Cristiano Ronaldo still has one dream left to fulfill: winning the World Cup. Although he has participated in 5 World Cups since 2006, Ronaldo's best achievement is only 4th place with the Portuguese team at the 2006 World Cup, but he still desires to be able to play in the 6th World Cup.
At the age of 39, Ronaldo still maintains a rigorous training regimen. His goal is to be in the Portuguese squad at the 2026 World Cup, even though he will be 41 years old by then. In the summer of 2024, Ronaldo may participate in EURO 2024, and this is also an important tournament for him in the journey to pursue the World Cup dream. This journey may be the last years of Ronaldo's career, but he still does not give up hope.
Throughout his career, Ronaldo has proven himself to be a person who never gives up in the face of time. With impeccable technique, outstanding physical strength and a strong fighting spirit, he remains a hugely influential player for Portugal and the teams he has played for. Ronaldo's chances of playing in the next World Cup are still very much alive, and he will probably fight until the last minute to make that dream come true.
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Who will retire first Messi or Ronaldo?
Although Messi and Ronaldo are only two years apart in age, their careers have taken very different paths. Messi has won every major trophy, while Ronaldo still has a desire to win the World Cup, despite having played five World Cups. Although both have impressive achievements, their motivations and goals in the final years of their careers may influence their decision to retire.
For Messi, although he may still play for a few more years, the feeling of "having achieved everything" and the change of playing environment suggest that he may retire first. The prediction that Messi may not participate in the 2026 World Cup makes his retirement more likely in the near future. Messi is no longer too concerned with club titles, but instead has been able to find peace and new goals in a less intense league like MLS. This may make him decide not to continue in the top football environment, and retire earlier than his colleague Ronaldo.
As for Ronaldo, he seems to still have big goals in his career, and the World Cup dream is still a big motivation to help him maintain his peak performance. Although he is getting old, with his unceasing desire and determination, Ronaldo may be able to extend his career for a few more years. Ronaldo's career has always been associated with effort and fighting spirit, constantly searching for success. Although he has achieved countless individual and club titles, the desire for the World Cup is still a big motivation for him, and perhaps this will help him maintain his fitness and dedication longer than Messi.
In short, who will retire first Ronaldo or Messi? Although both are great football legends, with different goals in the final years of their careers, it is very likely that Messi will be the one to retire before Ronaldo. However, Ronaldo's hunger could help him extend his career for a few more years, and we will continue to see excellent performances from these two stars until they decide to end their legendary journeys.
In Conclusion
Both Messi and Ronaldo are living legends of world football. No matter when they retire, we will never forget the miracles they have achieved throughout their careers. Predicting who will retire first is a difficult question, but perhaps, Messi, with what he has achieved and no longer having much motivation to compete at a high level, will be the first to retire. As for Ronaldo, with his burning desire to win the World Cup, he may continue to play until he is no longer physically fit. Time will answer the question of who will retire first Messi or Ronaldo, but certainly, no matter who retires first, Messi and Ronaldo will always be legends in the hearts of fans.
