Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo both saying same thing about retiring

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have hinted that their days gracing the pitch might be numbered.

As they approach the end of their illustrious careers, both Messi and Ronaldo have taken their talents to new shores, with Messi joining Major League Soccer's Inter Miami and Ronaldo heading to the Saudi Pro League. Despite continuing to shine for their new teams, the iconic duo are aware that retirement isn't far off.

Messi made his move stateside last July, signing with Inter Miami after two decades in Europe at Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain. With an impressive tally of 12 goals and 13 assists in just 12 matches this year, he's a frontrunner for the Supporters' Shield.

In a candid chat with ESPN Argentina, Messi admitted that Inter Miami is probably "going to be my last club," acknowledging that "there's not a lot of time left" for him as a professional player.

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"I've done this all of my life," said the eight-time Ballon d'Or recipient. "I love playing ball. I enjoy the practices and the day-to-day, the games. Yeah, there's a bit of fear that it's all ending. It's always there. It was a difficult step leaving Europe to come here [Miami]."

Following his pivotal role in securing the 2022 World Cup for Argentina, Messi shared that the triumph has given him a fresh perspective, one that encourages him to savour every moment he has left on the field.

"The fact we won the World Cup helped, it helped a lot, to see things in another way," he said. "But I try not to think about it. I try to enjoy it. I do that more now because I'm aware that there's not a lot of time left. So I have a good time with the club, being lucky having good teammates and friends at my side.

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"I enjoy my time with the national team, where I also have good friends, too, and a lot. I enjoy those small details that I know I'll miss when I stop playing."

Like Messi, Ronaldo is well aware that his football career is nearing its end. After scoring two goals in Portugal's last Euro 2024 warm-up match against Ireland, the 39-year-old expressed excitement ahead of his sixth - and perhaps final - European Championship.

"I know I don't have many years of football left," Ronaldo said. "It's a gift to play year after year, after 35. I'm 39 and every year is about enjoying [myself]. To score for the national team is special. The national team is the love of my life, winning the Euros would be a dream."

In his first full season since inking a mega-deal with Al Nassr in December 2022, Ronaldo recorded 11 assists and 35 goals - the most ever scored in the Saudi Pro League. He will now turn his attention to captaining Portugal, an honor that he will always cherish.

"For me, playing for the national team is a passion, a love," he said. "Any game is special, a European Championship is special, it will be my sixth, which is also a record."

"Playing in 2004, when I made my [European Championship] debut, or playing today, the feeling is always of pride and passion. It doesn't get any better than this."

The pair are on the same page about what their future holds. Retirement is not far away, and Liverpool looks unlikely to see either of them again.