When will Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo bring the curtains down on their careers? The end is nigh for both.

They once ruled the footballing world as the best players of their generation. Their legacies remain strong as two of the best players of all time. The GOAT debates are endless.

But time catches up with everyone and the end is near for Messi’s and Ronaldo’s legendary careers. The question is: how much longer do we have left to enjoy them?

Ronaldo is the older of the pair at 41. Messi recently turned 39. Neither are playing in Europe anymore, of course, with Ronaldo in the Saudi Pro League and Messi in MLS.

Messi has now made the big decision to retire from international football, while Ronaldo has admitted he might be in his final season as a player.

At club level, both players still have time left on their contracts. Ronaldo’s deal with Al-Nassr is due to last until the end of the season. Messi, meanwhile, has a contract until December 2028 with Inter Miami.

Per some reports from when he signed his latest renewal in 2025, Ronaldo’s contract contains an option to extend into the summer of 2028 as well.

Thus, there could be another couple of years left of Messi and Ronaldo as professional footballers.

But contracts aren’t always fulfilled and many factors could influence each player’s future. We just hope injury isn’t the way either go out.

The less outspoken of the two long-time Ballon d’Or rivals, Messi hasn’t given too much away about his future in club football.

“I know that the moment I feel that I am no longer able to perform, that I no longer enjoy or help my team-mates, I will quit,” he offered in March 2024.

“I’m very self-critical. I know when I’m good, when I’m bad, when I’m playing well, and when I’m playing badly.

“When I feel it’s time to take that step, I’ll take it without thinking about age. If I feel good, I’ll always try to keep competing because it’s what I like and what I know how to do.

“I haven’t yet thought of what I’m going to do when I retire. Today, I try to enjoy the day-to-day, the moments, without thinking about life after [football].”

However, the sad news of his father passing away prompted Messi to give a rare update on his future this summer.

“I don’t know how to carry on. I used to just play football, and now I’m really not sure if I’ll carry on doing it for much longer,” he posted on social media.

“You were by my side from the very beginning. We were so close to the end. Why didn’t you hang in there just a little longer so we could finish this together?”

Reflecting on the World Cup after Argentina lost the final to Spain, Messi added: “I wanted to win it so I could bring the trophy to you and show you a new one. I couldn’t, my legs had nothing left. This time I tried to push past my physical limits, but I couldn’t. I never managed to feel right.”

And now, Messi has confirmed he is bowing out from international duty altogether.

He posted on Instagram on August 31: “After the time that has passed since the final, and after giving it a lot of thought, I want to let everyone know that I am retiring from the National Team…

“It was a decision that hurt—and still hurts deep down—but I understand that the time has come. I swear to you that I always gave it my all—not just in these last few years when we won everything, but before that too; I always fought and left everything on the field for this jersey, to bring you joy and make you feel proud to be Argentine through football.

“Time is running short, chapters come to a close, and this is one that hurts me deeply. I love, have loved, and will always love being part of the National Team. I’ve given everything I had; I have nothing left to give, and besides, there are some great young players coming up who deserve to be here.

“Thank you for all the affection over these past 20 years. I will miss hearing you from the pitch so much. Now I’ll be just one of you, cheering and supporting from the outside (through the good times and the bad—especially the bad).

“Thank you to my family for always being there, for accompanying me on this journey—so beautiful, yet so difficult. Thank you to every coach, teammate, and official I’ve shared this path with. I take with me unforgettable memories and moments.

“I leave with the peace of mind and pride of having given you—alongside my teammates—moments we once only dreamed of. It was an incredible experience to live this with you all. I love you!

“Thank you, God, for making me Argentine.

“Let’s go, Argentina!

“*I wrote these words on July 21st, two days after the final. Today, after what happened with my dad, I am even more convinced than before.”

And so that’s the end of Messi’s international career, after 207 caps, 125 goals, 68 assists, two Copa Americas and a World Cup.

Ronaldo has been more vocal about the end of his career, partially because of his personality and partially because it’s probably closer.

He hinted in November that he could retire ‘soon’, before clarifying: “Soon for me means in 10 years… No, I’m joking.

“I’m really enjoying the moment right now. As you know, in football, when you reach some age, you count the months very quick.

“I feel very good in this moment. I score goals, I still feel quick and sharp. I’m enjoying my game in the national team. But of course, let’s be honest. What I mean by soon is probably one or two years.”

He has also confirmed his ongoing pursuit of reaching 1000 career goals will have an impact on when he calls it quits.

“It’s hard to continue playing, but I am motivated,” he said in December.

“My passion is high and I want to continue. It doesn’t matter where I play, whether in the Middle East or Europe. I always enjoy playing football and I want to keep going.

“You know what my goal is. I want to win trophies and I want to reach that number [1000 goals] that you all know. I will reach the number for sure, if no injuries.”

For what it’s worth, Messi could be capable of reaching 1000 goals as well, but it remains to be seen if that will have a bearing on his future.

Ronaldo’s sister dropped a bombshell before Portugal’s World Cup last-32 win over Croatia, hinting at his international retirement after the tournament.

But the man himself quashed that speculation straight after, stating: “My future isn’t important right now. I’ll have time, after winning or losing, I’ll talk to my family and then make the best decision.

“I don’t make decisions in the heat of the moment anymore. Now, everything is done calmly. It’s about enjoying the present.”

He reiterated after Portugal’s exit in the last 16: “I did my best and I’m leaving with a clear conscience. It was my last World Cup, yes, but I’ll now have time to reflect and be with my family. I won’t be making any rash decisions.”

But after some of those reflections, Ronaldo dropped the strongest hint yet of his impending retirement when speaking to Vogue in August.

“This is probably my last year of football,” he affirmed, “and I want to leave a spectacular legacy.”

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