Cristano Ronaldo was disappointed after Portugal was ruled out by Morocco at the 2022 World Cup Finals at Al Tharma Stadium, Doha, Qatar on 10 December 2022. Image: Reuters

It turned out that 2022 was not a "last dance" by Lionel Messi. This superstar would have turned 39 at the time of the 2026 World Cup. Despite concerns over the overhaul and muscle fatigue, he had to train off the field in the Philadelphia Union 6-4 win of Inter Miami on 24 May, Messi remained on the list of 26 Argentine players on his way to North America and was the biggest title the fan of "Albeleste" sent hope.

But Messi won't be the only general to fight in Canada, the US and Mexico this summer. Ronaldo, at the age of 41, will also be present – an essential scenario when his career and Messi seem to be tied together as a destiny. The largest football tournament on the planet to come here has also been present by Luka Modric and Edin Dzeko, the same series of city players who have touched the cross for four weeks such as Manuel Neuer, Craig Gordon, Guillermo Ochoa and Wafiha. In addition to Messi, there is another player at the age of 39 who is a post-Japanese Japanese Yuto Nagatomo.

The 7-year-old player from the age of 40 is an amazing census, because during the previous World Cup history, only seven names touch this age when they're out. Keeping the oldest record is Essam El Hadray, who held the Egyptian frame at the age of 45 and 161 days in the 2018 Saudi defeat. At that time, both teams were eliminated and there were doubts that El Hadray was chosen entirely for emotional reasons, namely the grace of one of the greatest Egyptian football legends. But he prevented the success of a penalty and played well enough to prove himself worthy of the right stone.

Not surprisingly, most of the seven historical generals were goalkeepers. Faryd Mondragon, at the age of 43 and 3 days, was in the yard when the match was only five minutes in the 2014 Japan 4-1 win of Colombia. Mondragon's case is clearly a pure favor to help him become the oldest player in the history of the World Cup series.

On the contrary, there was absolutely no bias for North Ireland's Pat Jennings in 1986, Peter Shilton of England in 1990 or Ali Boumnijel of Richmond in 2006. And certainly there was no room for respect for Dino Zoff as he brought the Italian lead team to the 1982 World Cup championship. Zoff suffered countless criticism after the 1978 tournament, but knocked out the protagonist from Oscar's head strike at the end of the Brazilian 3-2 win as much as Paolorick's hattrick.

Roger Milla crossed the Colombian capital Rene Higuita in round 1/8 World Cup 1990 on San Paolo, Naples, Italy on June 23,1990. Image: AFP

The only exception not the goalkeeper was Roger Milla. After his return to inspire Cameroon in 1990, he went on to return in 1994 at the age of 42, becoming the oldest non-finaler at a World Cup. Milla entered the courtyard from the bench in the Brazilian and Russian encounters. he even scored on the Russian team, though the home team was then led 3-0 and shared the 1-6 defeat.

Although the details of each story vary, there is a striking comparison: The World Cup this time can witness the number of players over the age of 40 more than 22 of the previous series combined. Part of the reason came from expanding the league scale. Vátinha was the number one choice in Cape Verde's wooden frame, he was certainly involved not for emotional reasons. But can your team win tickets if the World Cup is limited to the 32 team formula? And would a 69th-placed FIFA team enter the World Cup with a goalkeeper playing for Chaves in the Second Division of Portugal?

Another is due to the superior progress of sports science. The trauma that once destroyed a career can now be cured. The diet was much better. Players no longer drink dozens of beers every time they're out of camp. The awareness of the recovery process, muscle dilation, as well as preventive exercises and trauma treatments has been lifted.

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Despite the "500 game rule" - the traditional managers' views that the player's life only plays 500 professional games—which is still the physical drainage barrier of many players, others are persisting in their career life. Elections such as James Milner (born 1986) - who had just announced the award of the award at the age of 40 and Robert Lewandowski (born 1988) were only beginning to show signs of a recent decline due to age.

Modric and Dzeko have weakened due to the weight of time, but they are still the best choices Croatia and Bosnia & Herzegovina can find in their place. Messi's case is worth discussing. No matter how powerful and dangerous you still show in the American professional football league (MLS), this superstar is clearly not able to fight in the European peak environment.

However, it's hard to say for sure that the Argentina team would play better if they dismissed "La Pulgar" from the formation. In view of the nature of the team football, it is still possible to expect that Julian Alvarez or Messi's teammate at the club is Rodrigo De Paul to run for him again. At that time, the sharp eye forms lines that rip through the lines or Messi's genius moments will be a worthy reward for the collective sacrifice.

Lionel Messi left the field in the Battle of Inter Miami - Philadelphia Union in MLS May 25, 2026 on the NU field. Image: Reuters

But Ronaldo was no longer Ronaldo of the old days. He couldn't even keep up the style of the post-season version. The Portuguese superstar now moves heavily in an increasingly narrow operating space on the field. He still plays the good head, remained an illustrator, but almost impossible to speed up and lost his entire explosive energy source that once made his great brand. The Ronaldo Championship of Saudi Pro League this season is not exactly a statement to your rank, but rather a demonstration of the low quality of expertise of this league.

As early as the previous World Cup, Ronaldo made it clear that it was a burden. When he was crossed off the main formation to make room for Goncalo Ramos in the Battle of Switzerland, Portugal stripped the body with a speed, escape and scored six goals - with Ramos setting hattrick. And yet, the CVs in the audience kept shouting Ronaldo. The loudest vocals only appear when he enters the courtyard from the bench, then performs a familiar celebration after a clear goal that has been distinguished and cancelled shortly thereafter. It is proof that a part of modern football is being overly obsessed with personal fame and performance.

The greatest risk is Ronaldo's presence which could fill a generation of creative quarterbacks with talent and Portuguese prospects never had a real opportunity to be freed. That's the irony of hanging your legs on account of your red card in the light CHIRI meeting. This decision may be a ridiculous injustice when FIFA always tries to make sure that the busfirest names "have to be" appear on the field as much as possible. But for the Portuguese recruitment, it may become a barrier.

Cristano Ronaldo prepares to enter the courtyard from the reserve seat in the Battle of Portugal – Switzerland in the 1/8 World Cup 2022 at Lusail Stadium, Doha, Qatar on June 6, 2022. Image: AP

No one denies Ronaldo still owns extraordinary physical status for a 41-year-old. It is not wrong to consider that Portugal has not produced a world-class middle since the time of Eustace. But there will come a time when his slowness becomes a "subscription ring" holding down the team, and when that happens, any middle-level predecessor who has the ability to run and move flexiblely will also be a brighter choice.

The tenacity of the familiar faces may prove that players today are better at caring for themselves than the previous generation. But at least in Ronaldo's case, it is evidence that the modern world is blinded by the halo of entertainment stars.

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