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Who will retire first Messi or Ronaldo? A Look at Their Careers

Who will retire first Messi or Ronaldo? A look at their careers

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are two names that have been associated with greatness in football for over a decade. Both have conquered every major and minor title and set unbreakable records, becoming ideal role models for millions of fans around the world. However, when both are at the end of their careers, the question is: Who will retire first Messi or Ronaldo? Although both are still maintaining their peak performance, age and other factors can affect their decision to retire. So let’s find out about this issue with Premiumsoccertips through the following article!

Who will retire first Messi or Ronaldo? A look at their careers
Who will retire first Messi or Ronaldo? A look at their careers

Ronaldo and Messi Career status

Both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are great players, and their careers have had many ups and downs. While Ronaldo has played for many big clubs such as Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, Messi has only been with Barcelona for most of his career and is currently playing for Inter Miami after leaving Barcelona in 2021. Despite choosing different paths, both have won countless titles and personal records.

  • Cristiano Ronaldo is the highest scorer in football history with over 800 goals for clubs and national teams. He has won 5 Ballon d’Or, 5 Champions League, and countless domestic titles. With his strong physique and determination, Ronaldo continues to play at the top despite his old age.
  • Lionel Messi is considered one of the most complete players in football history. Messi has won 7 Ballon d’Or, 4 Champions League, and 10 La Liga with Barcelona. After moving to Paris Saint-Germain and then Inter Miami, Messi has maintained his excellent form, proving that age cannot stop a football genius.

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Factors that influence Ronaldo and Messi’s ability to retire

Although both players have strong motivations to continue playing, some factors can help us judge who will retire first.

Factors that influence Ronaldo and Messi's ability to retire
Factors that influence Ronaldo and Messi’s ability to retire

1. Age and health

Ronaldo is currently 38 years old, while Messi is only 35. Although both are athletes with outstanding physical strength, the age difference is still an important factor. Ronaldo has entered the age of 38, which is the stage when most professional players begin to face a decline in physical strength and recovery ability. Messi, although a talented player and can play for a long time, cannot avoid the effects of age. However, with his skills and intelligence in playing, Messi can maintain better form for a long time.

2. Injuries and recovery

One of the reasons why many people think Ronaldo might retire early is because he has suffered a number of serious injuries in recent years. Hamstring problems kept him out of action for a long time last season, which had a significant impact on his form. Meanwhile, Messi has hardly suffered any serious injuries throughout his career. With his stable physical condition and few serious injuries, Messi could extend his football career for a few more years.

3. Playing Style

An important factor that affects the ability of these two legends to retire is their playing style. Ronaldo is a player who relies heavily on speed and physical strength to play, which requires him to maintain excellent fitness. However, playing at high intensity and continuously can shorten a player’s career. In contrast, Messi has a creative and skillful playing style, focusing on technique and tactical thinking. This style of play makes him less dependent on physical strength and easier to maintain form for a longer period of time.

4. Competition environment and motivation

Currently, both Ronaldo and Messi play in less competitive leagues than in Europe. Ronaldo plays for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, while Messi plays for Inter Miami in the United States. This allows both to maintain high levels of performance without having to face high-level opponents in each match. However, this also raises questions about their motivation to compete. However, with the determination of both Ronaldo and Messi, they still maintain the desire to prove themselves and continue to win new titles, even in a less competitive environment than before.

Factors that influence Ronaldo and Messi's ability to retire: Competition environment and motivation
Factors that influence Ronaldo and Messi’s ability to retire: Competition environment and motivation

Who will retire first Ronaldo or Messi?

Based on the factors analyzed, it is likely that Cristiano Ronaldo will retire before Messi. This is mainly due to Ronaldo’s age, injury problems, as well as his more physically demanding playing style. However, this does not mean that Messi will play longer than Ronaldo without facing similar difficulties. Football is a sport that requires dedication and endurance, and whether Ronaldo or Messi retires first, they have both left an indelible mark on football history.

Conclusion

Who will retire first Messi or Ronaldo, they have both created an irreplaceable football legacy. Whether it is Ronaldo with his powerful acceleration or Messi with his boundless flair and creativity, both have devoted themselves to world football. No matter how long their careers last, they will always be living legends in the hearts of fans and inspiration for the next generation of players.

See more: Will Messi play 2026 World Cup? The big question