FIFA Official: Both Messi and Ronaldo Say They Won't Retire for Now; It's a Blessing for Football
In recent interviews, both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have expressed the idea that "though they have considered it, they won't retire temporarily." FIFA officially published a long article reviewing the careers of the two legends, stating that their continued presence in the sport is "a blessing for football."
While one has already helped his national team secure a spot in next year's global tournament as early as March, the other is still leading his homeland in a fierce bid for qualification. For Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, the World Cup to be held on the North American continent will not be the curtain call of their careers, but another great test.
In recent months, the latest moves of the two legends have further confirmed this—they have both renewed their contracts with their respective clubs. Argentine superstar Messi extended his contract until at least 2028, while Portuguese leader Ronaldo also committed to playing for Al Nassr until June 2027.
At 38 years old, Messi seems to have found his ideal home at this stage of life, and his desire for victory remains intense; meanwhile, the 40-year-old Ronaldo appears to be on a similar path. The grand narrative of the World Cup seems to be preparing to weave these two giants into its legendary chapters once again.
If both of them appear in the tournament to be held in Canada, Mexico, and the United States, they will become the only players in history to participate in six World Cups (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, and 2026), surpassing the five-tournament record of Mexico's Antonio Carbajal, Rafael Márquez, Andrés Guardado, and German legend Lothar Matthäus.
Throughout their careers, both have maintained an amazing physical condition and successfully avoided serious injuries, thus temporarily putting aside the idea of retirement—what supports them is their still passionate love for football. They prefer to savor the present rather than rush to say goodbye.
"I have always said that my decision depends on my physical and mental state every day," Messi said when signing the contract extension. "In fact, I have felt very good this year. I am happy in Miami, and so is my family."
Since landing in the United States in July 2023, the "Little Flea" has continued to show his decisive influence on the field. He quickly became the all-time top scorer in Inter Miami's seven-year history and led the team to win its first trophies—the MLS Supporters' Shield and the Leagues Cup.
This season, the team coached by Javier Mascherano has advanced to the playoffs and aims to win the MLS Cup. Messi also won the Golden Boot and performed brilliantly in the first Club World Cup, helping the team qualify from the "Group of Death" that included Al Ahly, Palmeiras, and Porto.
With a strong performance in the South American Qualifiers, Argentina has long secured its spot in the 2026 World Cup—easily topping the standings. Compared to the hesitation a few months before winning the World Cup in Qatar, Messi is now standing more firmly. At that time, he said: "I have said that after this World Cup (2022), I have a lot of things to think about. Now I am not sure; I just want to focus on the games in front of me and see later."
Since then, Messi has experienced many ups and downs—he left the field due to injury midway through the Copa América final last year and missed the two World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Brazil in March this year. But Argentina performed well in his absence, with a number of new stars emerging, such as Thiago Almada, Franco Mastantuono, and Nico Paz, who seamlessly integrated into the world champion lineup.
Ronaldo's Journey
"Since the first day I arrived here, my goal has been not only to change Al Nassr but also to influence Saudi football as a whole. This is my mission," Ronaldo said after renewing his contract. "Of course, my goal has always been to win important honors for Al Nassr. I still believe this, and that's why I signed for another two years—I believe I will become a champion in Saudi Arabia."
Since joining in December 2022, he has immediately shown an extraordinary state. Although he has not yet won team honors in this league intertwined with star power and capital, his personal performance is impeccable. He won the top scorer award with 35 goals in the 2023-24 season and defended the title with 25 goals the following year.
During the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the Madeira legend's status in Fernando Santos' lineup slightly declined, sitting on the bench in many key games (including the round of 16 against Switzerland and the quarterfinals against Morocco). After that defeat, he walked out of the Al Thumama Stadium with his head down, as if that was the final chapter of his national team career.
But Ronaldo did not take his curtain call. Under the coaching of Roberto Martínez, he has once again become a core force. Last June, he played a key role in Portugal's journey to winning the UEFA Nations League and scored a goal in the final against Spain. In the European Qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, he is still the backbone of the team, helping Portugal top Group F.
In the match against Hungary last month, he scored twice, which almost secured Portugal's qualification. However, Dominik Szoboszlai's stoppage-time equalizer made the score 2-2. Next, they will face Ireland away next Thursday—a win will allow them to qualify directly, while a draw will require Hungary to not win away to Armenia. In that match against Hungary, the former Real Madrid and Manchester United legend also entered the history books as the all-time top scorer in World Cup qualifier history, surpassing Guatemalan striker Carlos Ruiz.
Messi and Ronaldo, the names of these two football rivals have been intertwined for nearly 20 years, and now they have once again temporarily shelved their retirement plans. Football fans around the world are fortunate to continue witnessing these two bright stars weaving their magic on the green field—the story belonging to them is still ongoing.
