Many fans know that the era of Ronaldo and Messi is ending. But is that a bad thing? We do not think so at all. The truth is that there is nothing bad about Messi and Ronaldo gradually dropping off their top performance, although frankly – if you look at their play, you could hardly say that anything of the sort is underway.
Regardless, both players are ageing, which naturally slows them down. Ronaldo is fully dedicated to his body and has been working out like clockwork for decades. Messi, who is similarly inclined to work out, has been enjoying better overall natural fitness, which seems to allow him to stay agile and competitive. The truth is, none of them is going to compete in the biggest events anymore—probably.
But much like you would come back to the top online roulette deals for UK gamers repeatedly, will you tune in to watch any game where Ronaldo and Messi play? They may not be playing at their erstwhile one hundred per cent, granted, but they are still spectacular players to watch.
| Ronaldo | 908 senior career goals |
| Messi | 843 senior career goals |
1. New deals and lucrative opportunities
The simple truth is that both players have played at the top of their abilities and wowed crowds repeatedly. Messi has orchestrated comebacks that saw his team three or more goals behind in the standings to flip the tally in a single game.
Imagine the shock on the opponents’ faces. Ronaldo has been a little more complicated to play along with, as he tends to be a little more egocentric, and this is entirely understandable, given how much the player has achieved. He has played in some of the best clubs and has been a tremendous striker, but his coaches all agree – Ronaldo needs the rest of the team to work well for him to shine genuinely, something that Messi can usually deal with if a teammate is underperforming. Roulette77 says that the key to victory is knowledge – understanding what you can and cannot do. Ronaldo sometimes has difficulty with this.
Now in putative decline, the players may not be enjoying the brightest limelight or the most competitive events, but they are certainly playing for some very interesting teams. Messi and Ronaldo were, of course, accused of “selling out” to lower-tier teams. Still, most fans realise that the players are looking forward to retirement, and they are very much dedicated to doing so in a way that allows them to play good soccer but rest up a little. Right now, they are playing at:
- Lionel Messi – Los Angeles FC
- Cristiano Ronaldo – Al Nassr
2. Paving the way for the next generation
However, talking about the decline of an era is a little harsh. Nothing is “declining here” because Messi and Ronaldo are simply exiting professional and competitive soccer. However, Ronaldo wants to play another game for his national team, Portugal, and Messi may be equally excited to do the same.
But they are not in decline – most certainly not. Rather, Ronaldo and Messi have inspired numerous other players who come to play, citing their names as why they got involved in soccer. They shake hands and do their best to surprise and defeat their heroes.
This is why the Messi and Ronaldo era is hardly ending – it will live on, not least because both players are record-setters in their own right and will be used as a benchmark against which all other players’ performances will be measured.
Inspiring players and setting high bars for them is what any player in soccer and other sports should hope to achieve at the end of their career.
3. Looking at the brave new future
Not least, Ronaldo and Messi have led to the realisation of a dream—elevating football to a status that nobody else thought was possible. Both soccer players have also welcomed the opportunity to pave the way for the future of soccer.
They have been very active ambassadors, training others and promoting a healthy lifestyle, setting examples for others. Ronaldo famously spurred a bottle of soda—Coca-Cola—and simply stated, “Water.” It was a spontaneous thing he did, and not really to the liking of soda companies, but then again, it showed the man’s staying power and iconic status as someone who promotes health and good sports culture.
Overall, it’s hard to talk about a decline here. Ronaldo and Messi have been instrumental in the development of modern-day soccer. Yes, the game would have survived and thrived without them – but it doesn’t have to. Their legacy lives on. Decline? We don’t think so.
This was a really interesting read. Ronaldo and Messi have definitely had an incredible impact on soccer, and it’s hard to imagine the sport without them. Their rivalry pushed each other to greater heights and gave us so many unforgettable moments. While it’s sad to see their era coming to an end, it’s also exciting to think about the next generation of players who will try to fill their shoes. Soccer is always evolving, and while Ronaldo and Messi will always be legends, new stars will emerge and bring fresh energy to the game. Thanks for sharing this article it really made me think about how much they’ve shaped the sport!