Will Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi play at the 2026 FIFA World Cup? GOATs discuss status for United States, Mexico and Canada tournament
By Tom Masters
Updated 13/11/2025 at 17:42 GMT
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Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are two of the greatest to ever play football - that much surely cannot be argued with. Next summer, the two footballing icons will have the chance to grace the global stage as the 2026 FIFA World Cup nears. But, aged 41 and 38, respectively, by the time the tournament commences, will Ronaldo and Messi play at the tournament?
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There can be little doubt that Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are two of the greatest to ever play the game.
With 13 Ballons d’Or titles between them and as many as 79 trophies for club and country, as well as a staggering 1,847 goals and counting combined, it is hard to do anything but simply admire the two outstanding attackers.
Despite initially struggling on the international stage to lift major honours, Ronaldo won the 2016 UEFA European Championship, before Messi took a couple of Copas America and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
With international glory and their legacy cemented over and over, the pair can retire knowing they have given football everything they could.
But what about one last hurrah on the biggest stage of all – at the 2026 World Cup?
Messi will turn 39 during the tournament, while Ronaldo will already be 41 when it begins, so can they give their all for their countries one last time?
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Will Cristiano Ronaldo play at the 2026 World Cup?
For many, Ronaldo is arguably the most driven football player there has ever been and there are two things left he will want to achieve: reaching 1,000 career goals and winning the World Cup.
But, as mentioned above, he is already 40, he turns 41 in February, and even though he has looked after his body incredibly well, he is undeniably slowing down.
He told CNN that he feels sharp, but also gave the first admission that he is in his final few years of professional football.
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Ronaldo hits stunning volley in off the bar to complete Al Nassr comeback
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Ronaldo said: "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 and all that stuff.
"Definitely, yes [it will be my last World Cup], because I will be 41 years old and I think it will be the moment in the big competition.
"I'm enjoying the moments, but when I mean soon [I will retire], it's really soon because I give everything for football. I'm in the game for the last 25 years. I did everything.
"I have many records in different scenarios for the clubs and the national teams. I’m really proud. Let's enjoy the moment, live the moment."
Ronaldo’s farewell tour has begun, a day we knew was coming, but even so, it will be strange when he no longer wears the iconic Portugal No. 7 shirt.
With the World Cup still missing from his CV, you would have to be bold to bet against him lining up for his country once again this summer in his quest for the ultimate glory.
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Will Lionel Messi play at the 2026 World Cup?
Messi is two years younger than Ronaldo and his technical ability is still as good as ever.
By the November 2025 international break, he had 34 goals and 18 assists in 31 MLS games – he still very much has it.
The key difference between the two is that Messi has won the World Cup; he and Argentina finally ended their barren run in Qatar in 2022, putting an end to 40 years of hurt for La Albiceleste.
Motivation may play a part in whether Messi is part of the Argentina squad for this summer.
He too has hinted that he is coming to the end of his career and has made it clear that if he does not feel he is at the top of his game in terms of fitness and overall sharpness, he does not want to be a "burden" on the team, as they attempt to become the first side since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back World Cups.
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Scaloni calls for Messi to be given ‘peace’ to make World Cup decision
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He told Spanish outlet SPORT: "Obviously, it's a special World Cup.
"It's special to play with the national team, and to be in other important, official competitions, especially considering what a World Cup means, and after having won it.
"But, as I was saying, I don't want to be a burden, so to speak. I want to feel good physically, to be sure that I can help and contribute to the group, to the squad.
"Our season is different from the European one. We'll have a pre-season in between, a few matches leading up to the World Cup, and we'll see day by day if I really feel physically fit enough to be where I'd like to be and be able to participate.
"But obviously, I'm aware that it's a World Cup, and it's special, and that the World Cup is the biggest competition there is - so, I'm excited, but taking it one day at a time."
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