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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><ul><li>All-time greats in America &amp; Middle East</li><li>Assured of standing among the immortals</li><li>Advised to remain in current surroundings</li></ul><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

Lionel Messi & Cristiano Ronaldo would ‘stain careers’ with return to Europe as Inter Miami & Al-Nassr superstars told they can no longer ‘keep up with other top players’

Major League Soccer

Inter Miami CF

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<p>Messi and Ronaldo are showing no sign of slowing down in their current surroundings despite being 36 and 39 respectively. Messi is <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-mls-mvp-only-clown-disagree-ex-usmnt-star-taylor-twellman-inter-miami-superstar-rewriting-history/blt39d8b7dfad9797ba" target="_blank">generating MVP talk in MLS</a> with Inter Miami, as he <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/magical-lionel-messi-personal-history-career-firsts-inter-miami-superstar-six-goal-showing-new-york-red-bulls/blt85182914370c19b8" target="_blank">rewrites the history books in the United States</a>, while Ronaldo has <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/cristiano-ronaldo-goal-message-rivals-portugal-al-nassr-superstar-1000/bltf77588a501ef4789" target="_blank">registered 48 goals for Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr</a> this season.</p><div class="affiliate-button-container theme-1" data-name="Apple TV"><div class="affiliate-button"><img class="logo" height="40" width="72" src="https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt2de198b67da95a2e/65709d2436cf7d0407034ef9/Apple_TV.png" style="width: 72px; height: 40px;"><span class="affiliate-text">Get the MLS Season Pass today!</span></div><a href="https://tv.apple.com/channel/tvs.sbd.7000?itsct=goal_mls&amp;itscg=30200&amp;at=1010l39UY" class="affiliate-button-link" target="_blank">Stream games now</a></div>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>The all-time greats are, however, considered to have headed to the United States and Middle East as their remarkable superpowers are on the wane. While they are <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-best-qualities-highlighted-mls-rival-masterclass-inter-miami-new-england-revolution/blt6c726b4d51ec92a2" target="_blank">able to maintain stunning individual standards</a>, questions are being asked of whether they could still <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/is-cristiano-ronaldo-still-champions-league-level-portugal-roberto-martinez-explains-38-year-old-totally-elite/bltf1fe5ca91bc0fea0" target="_blank">compete and prosper on a Champions League stage</a>.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Former Chelsea and Arsenal star Gallas, who has played against both Ballon d’Or winners in his time, has told <a href="https://www.gentingcasino.com/insights/ " target="_blank"><em>Genting Casino</em></a> of why the pair should resist any urge to retrace professional steps: “Where Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are playing at the moment is best for them. They wouldn't be able to compete in the top leagues, like the Premier League, Serie A, La Liga and Bundesliga. They are both nearly 40 years old, and they seem happy where they are. If Messi and Ronaldo came back to Europe, they would have a lot criticism and possibly put a stain on their careers, because they wouldn't be able to keep up with the other top players.”</p>

WHAT GALLAS SAID

<p>Neither Messi nor Ronaldo are offering any indication that they are looking for a return to Europe. The former has the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/lionel-messi-inter-miami-contract-wages-cristiano-ronaldo/blt11e2d05b108b1895" target="_blank">option of extending his spell in the United States through 2026</a>, while there is talk of the latter <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/contract-extension-cristiano-ronaldo-40-al-nassr-superstar-prolong-62-goal-stint-saudi-arabia/blt9b5fe85776a669ee" target="_blank">prolonging his record-breaking contract in Saudi Arabia </a>– which is due to expire in summer 2025 – for another 12 months.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR MESSI & RONALDO?

Lionel Messi & Cristiano Ronaldo would ‘stain careers’ with return to Europe as Inter Miami & Al-Nassr superstars told they can no longer ‘keep up with other top players’ | Goal.com United Arab Emirates

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo would “stain careers” by returning to Europe, says William Gallas, as they can no longer “keep up” with the elite.

Lionel Messi &amp; Cristiano Ronaldo would ‘stain careers’ with return to Europe as Inter Miami &amp; Al-Nassr superstars told they can no longer ‘keep up with other top players’