These two are definitely inseparable.
During the international break in March, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo each played 2 matches and scored 4 goals.
The Argentinian crossed the bar of 100 achievements in selection (102 in total), while the Portuguese improved the historic record in this area (122).
What if Messi went even further, higher, stronger to catch up with Ronaldo?
The idea seems absurd.
She is a bit.
Admittedly, Messi (35), born in June 1987, is younger than Ronaldo (38), born in February 1985. On paper, the Argentinian has even more to give to football.
It is no coincidence that he plays for PSG and plays the Champions League, when "CR7" had to resolve to go into exile in Saudi Arabia, at the Al-Nassr club.
But in reality, Messi doesn't seem to want to go much further.
Will Messi and Ronaldo play in the 2026 World Cup?
“
It will surely be my last match in a World Cup
”, said the Argentinian before winning the Grail at the expense of France, in the final on December 18 (3-3, 4-2 on penalties).
In other words, no World Cup 2026 for Messi, who will then be 39 years old.
And Ronaldo?
"
It's me who decides my future, no one else
," retorted the Portuguese in March 2022 before his many setbacks and his time on the bench.
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Cristiano Ronaldo, first player to score in 5 World Cups
“
Winning the World Cup with Portugal was the biggest and most ambitious dream of my career.
Unfortunately, this dream has come to an end
”, he confided however after the elimination in the quarter-finals by Morocco (1-0) three months ago.
From what to deduce that he will not go further than Euro 2024, which will take place during the same summer as the next Copa America, probably Messi's ultimate goal in selection.
Mbappé, the shadow that hangs over the record
We can therefore conclude that, in all likelihood, Messi, who is 20 goals behind, will never catch up with Ronaldo's goalscoring record in the national team.
The Portuguese has the confidence of his coach, Roberto Martinez, and Argentina will not play more matches than the Seleção.
The Parisian striker will surely console himself with the silver medal, he who is only 6 goals behind the Iranian Ali Daei, record holder before Ronaldo goes through it.
Finally, Messi like Ronaldo, if they value these figures, would do better to take care of their statistics until the end.
Because a certain Kylian Mbappé, 24 years old and 38 goals with France, is doing much better than them at the same age.