The legendary rivalry between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo is without end tied to Spain’s El Clásico, the historic battles between Barcelona and Actual Madrid. However outdoors of these two cities, admiration for the superstars is extra balanced. In international locations like Argentina and Portugal, the place the nationwide groups share no direct rivalry, followers usually rejoice each icons moderately than divide themselves between them.
That perspective allowed Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni to freely point out Ronaldo whereas reflecting on Messi’s extraordinary longevity. With hypothesis rising that Messi might play his final official match on Argentine soil this Thursday, September 4, towards Venezuela at Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, Scaloni drew a parallel between the 2 legends.
“At his age and on the stage he’s nonetheless enjoying, if Messi hadn’t taken care of himself, if he didn’t have that reward, he wouldn’t be making the distinction he nonetheless makes,” Scaloni mentioned in a televised interview. “The greats are like that, Cristiano too. These are gamers who preserve their stage as a result of they constructed careers that matched their expertise.”
The coach, who led Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title in Qatar, then made a heartfelt request to followers: “Let’s take pleasure in him whereas we nonetheless have him. No matter occurs will occur. He’s so essential for world soccer—not only for Argentines—that a very powerful factor is to take pleasure in him now.”
Scaloni emphasised that inside his teaching workers, they don’t focus on Messi’s eventual retirement. “He earned the precise to resolve when to cease. From us, he’ll all the time have full assist,” the supervisor added.
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A possible farewell in Buenos Aires
Thursday’s conflict towards Venezuela might be the final official aggressive match Messi performs in Argentina. After that, the Albiceleste may schedule friendlies earlier than the 2026 World Cup, however no additional qualifiers are anticipated at house within the close to future.
Wanting forward, Argentina might not host one other official World Cup qualifier till 2031, as a result of Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay are set to qualify mechanically for the 2030 match as host nations. By then, Messi could be 44 years outdated—making it extremely unlikely followers will see him once more in an official match on Argentine soil.
Having fun with the ultimate chapters
For followers in the USA and throughout the globe, the message is evident: the careers of Messi and Ronaldo are of their twilight years. One is 38, the opposite approaching 41, but each proceed to defy time with their performances. Scaloni’s phrases function a reminder to recognize Messi whereas he nonetheless graces the sector, as a result of these moments are restricted—and historical past is being written in actual time.
