'Messi and Ronaldo's careers are over'
Martin Macdonald
- 19 Mar 2022 18:40 GMT
- 5 min read
Former Real Madrid, Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain striker Nicolas Anelka believes that both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo made errors in judgment deciding on their next club in the summer of 2021.
Due to Barcelona's financial difficulties, Messi was forced to depart Camp Nou in emotional circumstances, with the player admitted it was never his desire to leave.
A move to the Premier League was mentioned, but PSG was always the most likely destination, and Messi completed a free transfer to Ligue 1 ahead of the 2021/22 campaign.
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Ronaldo, meanwhile, informed Juventus of his desire to leave and the Bianconeri were happy to oblige in order to get his high salary off the wage bill.
Manchester City emerged as surprise favourites for his signature, but Man Utd pounced at the eleventh hour to ensure a return to Old Trafford.
Both players are not enjoying a vintage season.
Messi has found the back of the net on just seven occasions in all competitions, though does have 10 assists to his name.
Ronaldo, meanwhile, has a much better return of 18 goals, but he is part of a Man Utd side who are not in contention for any piece of silverware, and face a fight just to qualify for the Champions League.
Both players were eliminated at the last-16 stage of the Champions League, with PSG losing to Real Madrid and Man Utd losing to Atletico Madrid respectively.
Are Messi and Ronaldo's careers over?
Anelka believe that Messi and Ronaldo made a mistake in joining PSG and Man Utd, and that their careers at the top level are probably over.
"This is what happens to players who want to play longer," The Frenchman told RMC Sport.
“Their careers are over and I think they must both be very happy with what they have achieved in the last 15 years. They were above the others and now it is normal for them to slow down.
"I was more surprised with Messi than with Ronaldo, I thought that Messi would turn around in France and Ronaldo would have more difficulties in England because, for me, the Premier League is the most demanding championship in the world.
"[They] were not intelligent. They should have thought of facing a less complicated challenge because you have to make the right decisions to finish at the top. There are players who don't hesitate to finish at 32, 33, 34 so as not to be criticized. I stopped at 36, but at 32 I went to China."
