PARIS: Lionel Messi’s career seemed over after leading Argentina to victory at the 2022 World Cup, but the motivation to keep playing is still there for him and his arch-rival Cristiano Ronaldo as the duo prepare to make history at this year’s tournament in North America.
It will be the last dance for Messi and Ronaldo, who will become the first players to appear in six different World Cups, two decades after their debut in the final.
They have since become icons far beyond the football field, two of the most recognizable people on the planet as they approach middle age and contemplate retirement.
Messi appeared to suggest there would be no point continuing after leading Argentina to victory in Qatar.
“Obviously I wanted to end my career with this. I can’t ask for better,” he said after leading Lionel Scaloni’s team to victory over France on penalties in that World Cup final in Doha.
“My career is coming to an end because these are my last years. What more could there be after this?”
It turns out it’s so much more.
Messi was then in the midst of a disappointing spell at Paris Saint-Germain, and six months later he was leaving for Major League Soccer.
There he excelled with Inter Miami, with whom he won the MLS Cup last year.
He may not be playing at the highest level every week anymore, but he remains crucial for Argentina.
The Barcelona legend led his country to victory at the Copa America in the United States in 2024 and was the top scorer in South American World Cup qualifying.
“I love playing football and I’m going to do it until I can’t anymore,” he said recently.
At one point there were doubts about whether he would participate in another World Cup, a tournament he first appeared in 2006, when as an 18-year-old he scored in a 6-0 demolition of Serbia and Montenegro in Gelsenkirchen.
200 caps, goal record in sight
“I will do everything to ensure that he is there,” insisted Scaloni, while Messi is only two matches away from reaching 200 caps.
He is expected to add to his record 26 appearances in World Cup matches, including his appearance in the 2014 final in Brazil.
Messi has 13 World Cup goals, meaning Miroslav Klose’s record of 16 is within reach, especially as Argentina’s opponents don’t seem the toughest.
They start against Algeria and Austria before facing Jordan in Dallas, three days after Messi’s 39th birthday.
He is a few years ahead of Ronaldo, but the 41-year-old Portuguese talisman was determined to continue his international career in the hope of landing the ultimate prize.
Ronaldo was a teenager when he lost the Euro 2004 final with Portugal at home, but he made up for that by leading them to victory at Euro 2016.
Yet the World Cup proved more difficult, at least after Portugal reached the 2006 semi-finals.
Portugal have won just one World Cup knockout match since, when they beat Switzerland 6-1 in 2022 with Ronaldo sent to the bench.
“An exemplary commitment”
Roberto Martinez then became manager and reestablished Ronaldo as first-choice striker, which he remains despite failing to score at Euro 2024 when Portugal lost in the last eight.
He is the most capped men’s player of all time with 226 caps, and the former Real Madrid and Manchester United superstar is now on the verge of winning the Saudi title with Al Nassr.
Ronaldo recently confirmed this would be his last World Cup, insisting: “I’m going to be 41 and I think that will be the time.”
Portugal, in a group with Colombia, Uzbekistan and DR Congo, are real contenders to win, although there are doubts over whether Ronaldo holds down a talented squad.
Personally, Ronaldo will be looking to add to his eight World Cup goals, and finally score a first in the round of 16.
“He is more than just a football player, but for the national team that is all he is,” Martinez said in an interview with the Portuguese channel. RTP.
“He is the captain and he shows exemplary commitment to his country. He is incredible.”
Lifting the World Cup at 41 would be just the way for Ronaldo to finish – and if Portugal and Argentina both top their groups, he and Messi would be on course to meet in the quarter-finals in Kansas City on July 11.
