Both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have been dominant superstars in world football for over a decade, but their fighting spirit is perhaps the most noticeable difference between them. While Ronaldo continues to compete at the highest level at the age of 35, Messi has chosen a path of "aging gracefully" in the United States.
The world of football has witnessed the absolute reign of the Messi-Ronaldo duo for more than a decade. They are superhumans who have broken record after record and set incredibly high standards that are difficult to surpass for their successors.
We are fortunate to live in the era of Messi and Ronaldo, a time where countless new heights are continuously being set. We have been mesmerized by Ronaldo's lightning-fast runs and Messi's magical dribbles, but every feast must come to an end.
Ronaldo and Messi have reached a point where they too experience fatigue and gradually move away from the pinnacle of football. However, their approaches to facing the twilight of their careers are quite different.
At the age of 35, an age at which many superstars retire or play for leisure, Ronaldo continues to perform at the highest level. The Portuguese superstar scored 36 goals and provided 4 assists in 44 appearances across all competitions for Juventus.
In Serie A, Ronaldo's goal-scoring efficiency was a goal every 97 minutes (29 goals in 33 matches). CR7 won the Serie A Golden Boot and was voted Juventus' Player of the Season for the 2020/21 campaign.
Moreover, Ronaldo's achievement of winning the Serie A Golden Boot in the 2020/21 season also propelled him into the history of world football as the first player to accomplish this feat in the Premier League, La Liga, and Serie A.
It can be said that Ronaldo has maintained his form and is still performing at a very high level. Perhaps not at his personal peak, but Ronaldo remains "dominant" compared to many other stars of his time.
At the age of 35, Ronaldo continues to give his all with impressive statistics.
Manchester United (MU) went to great lengths to bring Ronaldo back to the club in a transfer deal that attracted a lot of attention. And in reality, Ronaldo maintained his form in the subsequent season, becoming the top scorer for the Red Devils with 24 goals in 38 matches across all competitions.
What about Messi? At the age of 35, La Pulga decided to join Inter Miami in Major League Soccer (MLS). The Argentine superstar still displayed a decent level of performance this season. Although not at his peak like during his prime years, Messi's form remains highly impressive.
In the 2022/23 season, Messi scored 37 goals and provided 25 assists for both his club and the national team. In Ligue 1, Leo scored 16 goals and provided 16 assists, helping PSG win the league title. The highlight of La Pulga's career was winning the 2022 World Cup with the Argentina national team.
Clearly, Messi has not shown signs of hitting rock bottom in his form and is still capable of competing at the highest level. However, Leo has decided to step away from European football and enjoy his retirement in the United States.
In an interview with Mundo Deportivo and Sport, Messi stated, "I am at a point where I want to step out of the spotlight a bit and think more about my family. I have had two years that were not really happy from a personal point of view."
"I had a magical month winning the World Cup, but alongside that, it was also a difficult period for me. I want to find joy again and enjoy time with my family."
On the other hand, Messi has chosen to embrace a more relaxed lifestyle at the age of 35, despite still achieving impressive statistics in the 2022/23 season.
It seems that the Argentine superstar could no longer bear the pressure of top-level football, and now he just wants to live a peaceful and leisurely life. Like a martial arts master who decides to "hang up the sword," Messi has chosen to "retire" to the United States and enjoy his older years.
In terms of talent and success, Messi is not inferior and even has a slight edge over Ronaldo. However, it seems that his fighting spirit cannot match that of his Portuguese rival.
When faced with pressure, Ronaldo chooses to rise and prove himself through his relentless efforts. Towards the end of the 2020/21 season, Ronaldo faced significant criticism for not securing the Serie A title for Juventus for the ninth consecutive season and failing to progress deep in the Champions League. But he did not despair and remained determined to score goals to prove his worth.
On the other hand, Messi, perhaps due to his calm personality, has chosen to let go after being criticized by PSG fans and feeling powerless in helping PSG win the Champions League.
La Pulga still had options to join top clubs in Europe, but he decided to play in a lesser-known league like MLS to "rejuvenate."
Of course, everyone's perspective may differ. Some may support Messi's decision, while others believe he should continue to fight for another Champions League title. Because La Pulga is fully capable of doing so.
