Two legendary footballers have spent nearly two decades battling for the title of the best player on Earth—and perhaps the greatest ever seen in the sport. Between them, they boast an astonishing 13 Ballon d’Or awards, a record-breaking array of trophies, and numerous entries in the annals of football history.
As Ronaldo approaches his 40th birthday in 2025 and Messi nears 37, Stuart Holden, a former USMNT star, believes both could extend their careers to the 2026 World Cup. In an interview with Fox Sports, he remarked, “If we can ride this Messi vs. Ronaldo, in the comparison that has probably driven them internally as well in their motivation to keep pushing, and as long as they have that drive, there’s no reason these guys can’t still be playing at a high level for many years to come. These guys rarely have had major injuries. If you look at Ronaldo, he’s probably got the body of a 21-year-old still in his physique. And yet, Messi has been able to evolve and change his game and adapt to his current physical restraints, which he still has that intense speed and acceleration and finishing ability.”
Alexi Lalas, another former United States international, is more cautious about predicting the future of these two GOATs. He questions their motivation to stay at the pinnacle of the sport, especially as they now ply their trade in MLS and the Saudi Pro League for Inter Miami and Al-Nassr, respectively. Lalas reflected, “There was a time not too long ago before Messi was a champion of the world where it did not go well in terms of the final product, and he retired. I’m just fascinated this summer, as it relates to 2026, what he looks like with Argentina now in the first time since the World Cup and, more importantly, how much has changed relative to how we look at him. Not that he’s not great, but in the context of America and his new backyard and his neighbourhood and [what] he’s doing with Inter Miami, as opposed to Cristiano Ronaldo over there in Saudi Arabia, and for a lot of people, it’s kind of out of [sight], out of mind. Even though they’re competing in tournaments, and they’re happening at the same time, there will [still] be the inevitable compare and contrast with what’s going on and the fates of both of these teams relative to these two incredible players.”
Messi is currently preparing for Copa America duties with Argentina, aiming to defend their continental title, while Ronaldo, evergreen as ever, embarks on another campaign to secure his second European Championship title in a storied career.
Lionel Messi
Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini
This season he played in total 12 times for 1034 minutes for Major League Soccer.
Lionel Messi scored 12 goals for Inter Miami. He procured 10 assists. He received no yellow cards and no red cards.
His team is currently 1st in Major League Soccer. In the last match Inter Miami drew 3-3 against St. Louis City.
Inter Miami performance and stats
Inter Miami is currently 1st in the Major League Soccer with 27 points.
In the last 18 games, it has won 10 times, drawn 5 times, and lost 3 times. In its last match, Inter Miami drawn 3-3 against St. Louis City.
It has a positive goal difference after scoring 35 goals and conceding 20.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro
This season he played in total 4 times for 412 minutes for Kings Cup.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored 3 goals for Al Nassr. He procured no assists. He received 1 yellow card and no red cards.
His team is currently 2nd in Kings Cup. In the last match Al Nassr won 4-2 against Al Ittihad.