OLDIES AIM FOR GOLDEN GOODBYE

Lifting trophy at their 6th, final World Cup a fitting way for Messi, Ronaldo to end career

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A fan posing with an image of Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, with an image of Argentina's Lionel Messi behind, during the Panini World Cup sticker album exhibition in Mexico City on May 11. PHOTO: AFP

(AFP)

Lionel Messi’s career seemed complete after he led Argentina to victory at the 2022 World Cup, but the motivation to keep playing is still there for him and his great rival Cristiano Ronaldo as the duo prepare to make history at the 2026 tournament in North America.

This will be the last dance for Messi and Ronaldo, who will become the first players to appear in six different World Cups, two decades on from their fresh-faced debuts at the Finals.

They have since become icons far beyond the football pitch, two of the most recognisable people on the planet as they head into middle age and contemplate retirement.

Messi appeared to suggest that there would not be much point in carrying on after he skippered Argentina to victory in Qatar.

“Obviously I wanted to finish my career with this. I can’t ask for any more,” he said after dragging Lionel Scaloni’s side to victory over France on penalties in that World Cup final in Doha.