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Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are likely to have performed their “last dance” at the World Cup final, former France international Mikael Silvestre told GOAL. Two all-time greats performed at the 2026 event, as their timeless exploits thrill audiences around the world, but Argentina and Portugal may be without their respective GOATs come the 2030 tournament.
How old will Messi and Ronaldo be in 2030?
Portuguese superstar Ronaldo will turn 45 when FIFA’s flagship competition takes center stage again. His eternal rival, the South American superstar Messi, will turn 43 in four years.
Considering everything they’ve accomplished throughout their notable careers to date, it seems foolish to rule anything out when it comes to a pair of iconic figures. However, time will eventually catch up with them.
Ronaldo still has one year left on his contract with Saudi Pro League champion Al-Nassr and has offered no indication that retirement is being considered, while Messi is linked to terms with MLS Cup winners Inter Miami until 2028.
Portugal’s new coach, Jorge Jesús, who worked with CR7 in the Middle East last season, has left the door open for the most iconic number 7 to extend his international career until Euro 2028. The Argentine squad hopes that Messi will add to his record of 207 international matches.
It may be that both legends continue playing for now, without rushing to make important decisions. The 2030 World Cup will be co-hosted by Portugal, making it a spectacle that has added appeal for Ronaldo. Messi has just tasted the last pain and missed out on a second world title.
Will Ronaldo or Messi grace the 2030 World Cup?
Will any of them still wear their country’s colors when the next World Cup opens its doors? Responding to that question, Ronaldo’s former Manchester United teammate and former MLS star Silvestre, speaking in association with BetVictor Online Casino, told GOAL: “I think they need to think about the legacy. I don’t think it makes sense from a sporting point of view to try to keep playing.”
“There is too much demand in the physical aspect of the game, not in the technical aspect. The physical aspect is difficult. I don’t expect them to play in the next World Cup in four years.”
Silvestre added that Messi and Ronaldo prolong their club careers, and that trophies are still being won at that level: “Apart from the World Cup, which lasts four years, I don’t put any end to their careers.”
“These guys have a lot of passion for the game. They are still very impactful and dedicated to their career. The only thing that matters is playing well and winning trophies. I don’t see them hanging up their boots any time soon.”
How Ronaldo and Messi responded to the pain of the 2026 World Cup
Ronaldo said after watching Portugal fall from the 2026 World Cup against Spain in the round of 16: “It saddens me to leave like this, but I have given everything, I have always given my best. I go with a clear conscience. This is football, it is the life of a footballer. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. You have to move on. It was my last World Cup, yes.”
Messi posted online after suffering the final agony with Argentina against Spain: “The pain is immense and this wound will take time to heal. But I also hold on to all the good. The games we turned around giving everything, moments that will remain in our memory forever, and the support of an entire country that, combined with the work and effort of this group, returned us to the world elite once again. It is difficult to fully appreciate our achievement at this moment, but this group reached two consecutive finals of the World Cup. World”.
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart for every greeting and message. Once again we managed to unite as a country and be together, sharing the immense pride of being Argentine. I also want to congratulate Spain for winning the championship.”
Messi and Ronaldo continue playing with Inter Miami and Al-Nassr
No hints were offered there about future international plans, and Argentine coach Lionel Scaloni also addressed that issue after returning to South America to celebrate with a loyal fan base.
Ronaldo and Messi have never been the type of characters to back down from a challenge and positively revel in opportunities to silence the skeptics and rewrite the history books. However, it would be a surprise if both competed in a seventh World Cup in 2030.
