'Football won't be the same' - Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi critics told to enjoy Portugal and Argentina icons while they're still around as ex-Man Utd star Nani labels ex-team-mate 'a machine'

Ronaldo's former United and Portugal team-mate Nani labelled the five-time Ballon d'Or winner "a machine" and also asked fans to enjoy the final moments of the careers of the pair often hailed as the best to ever grace the game, arguing that the sport will change the day they decide to call it a day.

Ronaldo and Messi have defined inarguably the greatest individual rivalry football has ever seen. The duo shared the stage for over 15 years, with the Argentine clinching eight Ballons d'Or and the Portuguese winning the award five times. They shared 10 of those awards for 10 straight years. While the fanbases of both players have more or less focused on undermining the achievements of the other, Ronaldo and Messi have often spoken admirably about each other.

Speaking at an event on Wednesday, Nani was asked about Ronaldo signing a new two-year deal with Al-Nassr. The former winger said: "He's a machine, he's a different player and you can tell by the level he's reached in football. We criticise Ronaldo and Messi a lot, but the day they retire, football won't be the same. The fact that they've dropped off the radar of the best clubs made a difference straight away. We have to make the most of it while they're still on the pitch."

Messi and Inter Miami's Club World Cup campaign ended in the round of 16, when they lost 4-0 to Paris Saint-Germain. There have been reports suggesting that the 38-year-old wants to return to Europe in order to prepare for next year's World Cup in the best possible way. Meanwhile, Ronaldo has just signed a new two-year deal, aiming to breach the 1000-goal mark and remain in top form with the hope that he can achieve his final hurrah by winning next year's World Cup with Portugal.