Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo will play in opposition to one another for a thirty eighth time on February 1, when Inter Miami tackle Al-Nassr within the Riyadh Season Cup in Saud Arabia.Â
Each gamers are within the twilights of their careers, although, plying their trades in utterly completely different continents and seemingly content material with the lack of rivalry following their aggressive days at Barcelona and Actual Madrid.Â
However will the Riyadh Season Cup be the ultimate time Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo play in opposition to one another? FourFourTwo takes a have a look at whether or not this second will want cherishing, or if there’s nonetheless hope for conferences between the pair sooner or later.Â
Will the Riyadh Season Cup be the final time Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo play one another?Â
Although dubbed ‘The Final Dance’, it is utterly possible that this recreation will not be the ultimate time Messi and Ronaldo play one another.Â
Relying on how lengthy each stars resolve they’ve left of their careers, there might the truth is be a number of conferences left between the Argentine and Portuguese. There’s potential for future profitable pleasant conferences scheduled between Al-Nassr and Inter Miami, particularly if the Riyadh Season Cup conflict works accordingly.Â
Worldwide video games additionally affords an avenue for the pair to play in opposition to one another, too. Each are nonetheless going sturdy with Argentina and Portugal, respectively, and upcoming Copa America and Euro 2024 tournaments supplies a possibility for a warm-up matches between the 2 nations.
However, failing that, there’s even potential of a World Cup 2026 assembly. Regardless of turning 41 by the point that event rolls round, Cristiano Ronaldo has beforehand highlighted his ambition to function in his sixth World Cup finals – particularly contemplating he’ll undoubtedly wish to match the trophy Messi lifted in Qatar final 12 months.
Messi may also be 39 in 2026, however his team-mate Nicolas Tagliafico believes that if Argentina are profitable within the 2024 Copa America, then Messi will probably be persuaded into sticking round for an additional two years.
Ought to each play at World Cup 2026, due to this fact, there is definitely potential of a bunch stage and even knockout spherical assembly.Â
Regardless, nothing is about in stone. There’s potential the Riyadh Season Cup would be the last time Messi and Ronaldo play one another, however do not begin counting your chickens simply but – each nonetheless have loads of time left of their careers.Â
Extra Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo tales
In line with experiences, the Portuguese is planning to play on to the 2026 World Cup, when he will probably be 41 years outdated. And the previous Manchester United ahead has hit again at his critics, saying he’s removed from finished but.
What’s it prefer to play with Messi? One former Barcelona team-mate offers some perception and says it’s ‘inconceivable’ to choose only one second.