Are there really ‘many years’ left in Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo rivalry? Former USMNT stars Alexi Lalas & Stuart Holden explain why GOAT battle could continue to 2026 World Cup

Two all-time greats have spent the best part of 20 years scrapping it out for the right to be considered the best player on the planet – and potentially the finest to have ever played the game. They have 13 Ballons d’Or between them, record-breaking collections of trophies and countless entries in the history books.

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Ronaldo is due to turn 40 in 2025, while Messi is approaching his 37th birthday, but former USMNT star Holden can see both men playing through to the 2026 World Cup. He has told Fox Sports: “If we can ride this Messi vs. Ronaldo, in the comparison that has probably driven them internally as well in their motivation to keep pushing, and as long as they have that drive, there’s no reason these guys can’t still be playing at a high level for many years to come. These guys rarely have had major injuries. If you look at Ronaldo, he’s probably got the body of a 21-year-old still in his physique. And yet, Messi has been able to evolve and change his game and adapt to his current physical restraints, which he still has that intense speed and acceleration and finishing ability.”

Fellow former United States international Lalas is reluctant to speculate on what the future could hold for two GOATs, with there questions to be asked of how motivated they are to stay at the top while turning out in MLS and the Saudi Pro League for Inter Miami and Al-Nassr. He said: “There was a time not too long ago before Messi was a champion of the world where it did not go well in terms of the final product, and he retired. I’m just fascinated this summer, as it relates to 2026, what he looks like with Argentina now in the first time since the World Cup and, more importantly, how much has changed relative to how we look at him. Not that he’s not great, but in the context of America and his new backyard and his neighbourhood and [what] he’s doing with Inter Miami, as opposed to Cristiano Ronaldo over there in Saudi Arabia, and for a lot of people, it’s kind of out of [sight], out of mind. Even though they’re competing in tournaments, and they’re happening at the same time, there will [still] be the inevitable compare and contrast with what’s going on and the fates of both of these teams relative to these two incredible players.”

Messi is readying himself for Copa America duty with Argentina, as they seek to defend that continental crown, while evergreen Portuguese forward Ronaldo is about to open a bid to land a second European Championship title in his illustrious career.