<p id=”par-1_19″>We’re witnessing the final <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/psychic-predicts-how-the-us-team-will-do-in-2026-fifa-world-cup-and-which-players-will-shine.html/” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>FIFA World Cup</a> featuring two of <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/tag/sports/?swcfpc=1″>soccer</a>‘s all-time greats, <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/lionel-messis-wife-antonella-roccuzzo.html/” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>Lionel Messi</a> and <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/mothers-cristiano-ronaldos-children.html/” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>Cristiano Ronaldo</a>. </p>
<p id=”par-2_48″>While Messi has not officially closed the door on the possibility of not playing in the tournament again in four years, Ronaldo has announced this will be his last World Cup. And that has led to questions about when Ronaldo will decide to hang up his cleats. </p>
<p id=”par-3_35″>Now, another soccer player is weighing in and believes that the Portuguese GOAT, who is two years older than Messi, is waiting to see when the Argentine GOAT decides to call it a career. </p>
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<p id=”par-4_55″>Speaking on behalf of <a href=”https://www.hajper.com/sv/sportsbook/sport/1-fotboll/leagues/1810-internationell-vm” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>Hajper</a>, ex-Man Utd and Ecuador star Antonio Valencia told Showbiz Cheat Sheet, “I think Ronaldo and Messi are almost waiting for each other. It is like: ‘You retire first.’ I think they are both waiting to see who retires first. Cristiano still looks very motivated to me. He looks good. </p>
<p id=”par-5_71″>“Messi is also playing in a league that, for me, has improved a lot, but is not as competitive as the European leagues, so that can allow him to keep going a little longer. I do not know, one more year, two more years … But there also comes a point when being focused for so many years wears you down. Still, they are machines, and they have had incredible careers.”</p>
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<p id=”par-6_77″>Valencia added, “It is a little sad to think that Ronaldo and Messi, two legends, two players who have left such an incredible mark on football, could be playing their last World Cup. I do not think they will be in condition to play another one. But you never know, because physically, they both still look good. I think age is just a number. If you look after yourself and do things properly, you can keep playing.</p>
<p id=”par-7_88″>“It would be sad, but I think both of them can have a good World Cup. Messi is a different kind of player. Cristiano is a competitive player, someone who loves winning trophies. I hope they both have a good World Cup and enjoy it. I have a lot of affection for both of them, for the way they are and for the message they send to young people: to be professional, honest, and to do things properly. I have a lot of respect for both of them.”</p>
<p id=”par-8_43″>One footballer who will be back for another World Cup is Kylian Mbappé. The French National Team captain has drawn comparisons to Messi and Ronaldo, but another former player says Mbappe has a long way to go before he’s on their level. </p>
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<p id=”par-9_65″>Speaking on behalf of BOYLE Sports, who offers the latest <a href=”https://www.boylesports.com/sports/football/competition/international-world-cup” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>World Cup odds</a>, ex-Chelsea and France star Florent Malouda told Showbiz Cheat Sheet, “I think in terms of numbers he’s chasing them, but he has a long way to go because of their longevity. Those two players we have to enjoy while they’re still playing because I remember playing against them and they’re still playing.” </p>
<p id=”par-10_85″>According to Malouda, “Mbappé will be inspired by them. The way he looks after himself might give him a chance to chase them and to participate in as many World Cups as they did. And also, I think to be in the same comparison, he would need to win a few Ballon d’Ors as well. I think he would be assessed on this, what they have done as the best players in the world for so long. I think people still want him to prove it.”</p>