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When will Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo retire from professional football? We now know at least one of them – and probably both – had their final World Cup in 2026, but when will Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo bring the curtains down on their whole careers? They once ruled the footballing world as the best players of their generation. Their legacies remain strong as two of the best players of all time. The GOAT debates are endless. But time catches up with everyone and the end is near for Messi’s and Ronaldo’s legendary careers. The question is: how much longer do we have left to enjoy them? Ronaldo is the older of the pair at 41. Messi recently turned 39. Neither are playing in Europe anymore, of course, with Ronaldo in the Saudi Pro League and Messi in MLS. By the time of the 2030 World Cup, which Ronaldo’s Portugal will co-host, both will be in their mid-forties. It’s safe to assume – especially if we take Ronaldo’s latest word for it – that the 2026 edition was their last. But fear not. At club level, both players still have time left on their contracts. Ronaldo’s deal with Al-Nassr is due to last until the end of the season. Messi, meanwhile, has a contract until December 2028 with Inter Miami. Per some reports from when he signed his latest renewal in 2025, Ronaldo’s contract contains an option to extend into the summer of 2028 as well. Thus, there could be another couple of years left of Messi and Ronaldo as professional footballers. But contracts aren’t always fulfilled and many factors could influence each player’s future. We just hope injury isn’t the way either go out. What has Messi said about retiring? The less outspoken of the two long-time Ballon d’Or rivals, Messi hasn’t given too much away about his future. “I know that the moment I feel that I am no longer able to perform, that I no longer enjoy or help my team-mates, I will quit,” he offered in March 2024. “I’m very self-critical. I know when I’m good, when I’m bad, when I’m playing well, and when I’m playing badly. “When I feel it’s time to take that step, I’ll take it without thinking about age. If I feel good, I’ll always try to keep competing because it’s what I like and what I know how to do. “I haven’t yet thought of what I’m going to do when I retire. Today, I try to enjoy the day-to-day, the moments, without thinking about life after [football].” However, the sad news of his father passing away has prompted Messi to give a rare update on his future. “I don’t know how to carry on. I used to just play football, and now I’m really not sure if I’ll carry on doing it for much longer,” he posted on social media. “You were by my side from the very beginning. We were so close to the end. Why didn’t you hang in there just a little longer so we could finish this together?” Reflecting on the World Cup after Argentina lost the final to Spain, Messi added: “I wanted to win it so I could bring the trophy to you and show you a new one. I couldn’t, my legs had nothing left. This time I tried to push past my physical limits, but I couldn’t. I never managed to feel right.” What has Ronaldo said about retiring? Ronaldo has been more vocal about the end of his career, partially because of his personality and partially because it’s probably closer. He hinted in November that he could retire ‘soon’, before clarifying: “Soon for me means in 10 years… No, I’m joking. “I’m really enjoying the moment right now. As you know, in football, when you reach some age, you count the months very quick. “I feel very good in this moment. I score goals, I still feel quick and sharp. I’m enjoying my game in the national team. But of course, let’s be honest. What I mean by soon is probably one or two years.” He has also confirmed his ongoing pursuit of reaching 1000 career goals will have an impact on when he calls it quits. “It’s hard to continue playing, but I am motivated,” he said in December. “My passion is high and I want to continue. It doesn’t matter where I play, whether in the Middle East or Europe. I always enjoy playing football and I want to keep going. “You know what my goal is. I want to win trophies and I want to reach that number [1000 goals] that you all know. I will reach the number for sure, if no injuries.” For what it’s worth, Messi could be capable of reaching 1000 goals as well, but it remains to be seen if that will have a bearing on his future. Ronaldo’s sister dropped a bombshell before Portugal’s World Cup last-32 win over Croatia, hinting at his international retirement after the tournament. But the man himself quashed that speculation straight after, stating: “My future isn’t important right now. I’ll have time, after winning or losing, I’ll talk to my family and then make the best decision. “I don’t make decisions in the heat of the moment anymore. Now, everything is done calmly. It’s about enjoying the present.” He reiterated after Portugal’s exit in the last 16: “I did my best and I’m leaving with a clear conscience. It was my last World Cup, yes, but I’ll now have time to reflect and be with my family. I won’t be making any rash decisions.” READ MORE: Comparing Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi’s stats in 2026 so far TRY A QUIZ: Can you name every trophy that Cristiano Ronaldo has won in his career?