After more than 20 years of thrilling fans and dominating the global football scene, the era of Lionel Messi (Inter Miami) and Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr) appears to be coming to an end.
Messi and Ronaldo, who began their professional careers at FC Barcelona (Spain) in 2004 and Sporting (Portugal) in 2002, respectively, have formed an unprecedented rivalry, winning the Ballon d'Or eight and five times. They have also shattered numerous significant records in football history.
As they move past their prime, both players are preparing to conclude their professional careers. Following the recent death of his father, Messi has expressed uncertainty about extending his playing days, while Ronaldo has also hinted at retirement after the upcoming season.
In an interview with Vogue, published on August 17, Ronaldo suggested that this season could be his last. He stated, "This year might be the final season of my football career," adding, "I want to leave a wonderful legacy when I step off the field." While he has previously mentioned retirement from international play and major tournaments, this is the first time he has clearly indicated a timeline for retiring as a professional player.
Ronaldo also shared his plans for life after football, saying, "I have planned my future. The void left by football will be significant, so I need to fill my time in various ways. There will be plenty to keep me busy after retirement." He expressed a desire to enjoy life more, travel frequently, and engage in activities he loves, such as playing and watching padel, stating, "After 25 years of many sacrifices, I want to fully enjoy what my family and I have achieved."
Ronaldo's change in mindset is believed to be influenced by recent family events and personal matters. He married his long-time partner, Georgina Rodriguez, on August 11. The couple, who publicly acknowledged their relationship in 2017, are raising five children together: twins Eva and Mateo, daughter Alana, daughter Bella, and Ronaldo's eldest son, Cristiano Jr.
The Saudi Arabian Professional League, where Ronaldo currently plays, kicked off the 2026-2027 season on August 13, with the regular season concluding in May. If Ronaldo's statements hold true, May could mark the end of his 25-year professional career. However, with his current tally of 976 career goals, he may adjust his retirement timeline based on the pursuit of reaching the milestone of 1,000 goals.
Messi, Ronaldo's eternal rival, is also facing retirement speculation following a significant personal loss. On August 8, his father, Jorge Messi, who had been his agent for over 20 years, passed away. Messi expressed his deep sorrow on social media on August 11, mourning his father's death.
Messi wrote, "I don’t know what to do without my father or how to continue my life. I have only played football, and now I am not sure if I can continue this for much longer." He added, "He was with me from the beginning, and there is so little time left; why couldn’t he hold on a little longer to finish this together?"
The profound sadness and psychological burden seem to be affecting Messi's performance on the field. He has recently missed three consecutive penalty kicks in official matches, a rare occurrence for him. In a match against Nashville on August 16, during the 20th round of the 2026 Major League Soccer (MLS), Messi took a penalty kick that was saved by the opposing goalkeeper.
Previously, Messi also failed to convert two penalty kicks during the recently concluded 2026 North American World Cup, against Austria in the group stage and Egypt in the Round of 16. According to ESPN, this marks the first time since 2014 that Messi has missed three consecutive penalty kicks in official matches.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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