Lionel Messi sent 'it's done' advice after emulating Cristiano Ronaldo - with two GOATs refusing to bow out with Inter Miami & Al-Nassr

Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi has been in the United States since 2023. He was won more major honours there, while being named MVP in 2024, and is seemingly ready to sign an extension in South Florida that will take him towards his 40th birthday.

Fellow World Cup winner Gilberto Silva is pleased to see the South American GOAT prolonging his career, with the ex-Arsenal and Brazil midfielder telling Oddspedia: "Lionel Messi is enjoying his life and football in America, and I'm happy that he's extending his career. As a player, you have to do as much as you can because once you finish, it's done. There's no way back, and there is nothing in life that fulfills you in the same way being a player does.

"It's a different life, even though you enjoy other parts of life and other things, such as family and spare time with friends. But football is something very unique, something that players dream of when they are kids, to be playing for a club. If you can extend your career as much as he is doing, like himself, like Cristiano, and Thiago Silva, this is brilliant. I love to see something like this."

Messi and Ronaldo are expected to grace the 2026 World Cup next summer. Argentina will be defending champions, while Portugal are viewed by many as serious contenders for a global crown.

Silva, who won the World Cup in 2022, added on CR7 looking to complete his medal collection: "He's a machine. Cristiano has a mentality like no other player. He can turn things around and find a solution on the pitch. In recent years, he's not as fast as he used to be, but he's found a role playing as a number nine and continues to score goals like mad.

"What we expect from this player is his leadership. I think his leadership is so important and vital for Portugal, regardless of how long he stays on the field. I'm sure having him in the squad would be great for every player because he can inspire them, push them to their limits, and make them believe they are capable of achieving things."

Messi has hinted that his international career is coming to a close, as he approaches 200 caps for Argentina, but there has been no indication that Ronaldo - with a record-shattering tally of 141 goals for Portugal - will be ruling himself out of selection contention with his country.