Messi or Cristiano? It doesn’t matter, they’re both leaving.

The Copa América has just started, and not long ago, the Eurocup began. Already, we have two new records that will be difficult to surpass in the near future. Unsurprisingly, the protagonists of these figures are Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

The first reached 6 participations in the Eurocup, which represents a monumental record, considering it’s a tournament held every 4 years and requires maintaining an exceptional level for 20 years.

For the vast majority of footballers, participating in one edition would be enough to say “goal accomplished,” but then there are the exceptional ones like CR7 who have participated in 6 competitions.

Having won practically everything (except the World Cup, which will definitely be his greatest unachieved goal), how is it that he still has the energy and desire to compete in absolutely every tournament?

Where does that hunger come from, that makes nothing enough for him? With the economic power to live the rest of his life – and several generations after him – combined with the number of records, goals, trophies, and countless individual distinctions, at 39 years old, he could well end his career and start enjoying everything he has reaped. He didn’t do it this summer and it doesn’t seem like he has it planned for the short term.

On the other side, Messi has just reached 35 Copa América matches, becoming the player with the most appearances in the history of the tournament. A tournament for which, you may recall, he once threw in the towel after losing a second consecutive final.

But “throwing in the towel” doesn’t suit characters of this level. Their personalities might be different, but their hunger is the same. Cristiano and Messi are competitive beasts, each in their own way, but they live day and night thinking about how to achieve more titles.

It’s been 20 years of having both footballers at the pinnacle of world football, and the end is inevitably near.

Football is passion, rivalry, and emotion. And precisely all these feelings have led us to experience a constant clash between the pro-Cristiano and the pro-Messi camps. As if it were a religion or political party, we fans have become obsessed with one of these two, and the fanaticism to celebrate what your idol does and criticize what your rival doesn’t do has led us to a senseless battle that is about to end.

That Cristiano only scores penalty goals. That Messi gets help from the referees. That Cristiano is too egocentric and Messi lacks passion. And we could go on. The reality is that, deep down, every fan of Cristiano and Messi recognizes the virtues of their “enemy.”

895 goals from Cristiano and 837 from Messi for a total of 1,732. Beastly.

Although this rivalry started in Madrid and Barcelona (where it was definitely unacceptable for the hated rival to succeed), today both players represent different clubs and leagues that are far from the world elite. Does it make sense to keep looking for the flaws in two of the best footballers in history?

As the saying goes, “You don’t know what you have until it’s gone,” I’m sure many of us will miss Messi and Cristiano when either of them decides to stop playing.

We are facing an unparalleled opportunity to enjoy what might be their last international tournament. Moreover, each one is competing for different goals.

As a loyal Real Madrid fan who once didn’t want to see Messi succeed, today I recommend that you take off that blindfold and allow yourself to enjoy the football of both.

The dribbles of Messi, the jumps and physical displays of Cristiano. The assists of the Argentine and the shots of the Portuguese. The moments of CR7 going into the bushes to greet some fans or Messi’s patience signing jerseys for kids during his national anthem. Yes, everything.

It was in Qatar 2022 that I began to appreciate and enjoy what the number 10 did. To focus more on what I could enjoy about him, rather than looking for any minor detail to criticize. And honestly, it was the best decision I could make.

Let the debate continue. Who is better? Who do you like more? Who do you prefer? Who do you identify with more? Let all that continue, but do yourself a favor and enjoy the last bit we have left of these two.

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