Knowing when to stop is beyond most people. Whether it be your crazy mate Jimmy on a night out with the whiskies, or the former heavyweight champion of the world longing for that one last fight when really they should quit, so many lack the self-awareness, self-control and discipline needed to know when to call it a day.
So few everyday punters can ever hope to win in the casino or from other forms of betting because you have to be able to quit when you are ahead. A combination of greed and ego, plus the simple desire to keep on having fun and doing something they enjoy, keeps the average punter at the roulette wheel or card table or betting shop for one punt too many. And it is that same combination that keeps ageing sports stars playing on when they are well past their best and should perhaps have retired years ago.
In boxing and other combat sports, and some other riskier endeavours, playing on for too long can be downright dangerous. But in many sports it is just a little sad for fans and other players to see once-great stars trying to grab one last moment in the spotlight and witnessing a very public decline.
There are many who feel that is what we are witnessing with Cristiano Ronaldo who, despite his commitment to himself, his routine, and his physical preparation, is very clearly no longer a top player. He has scored more than 900 career goals, a truly astonishing figure, but in his quest to reach 1,000 is he making us forget the magical player he was in his pomp and diminishing his own legacy? That is a discussion for another day, but on a more positive note, his great rival, Lionel Messi, is still very much going strong! And that is something to rejoice.
Messi Hits Another Hat-Trick for Argentina
MESSI WITH A HAT TRICK AND TWO ASSISTS.
THE GREATEST 🐐 pic.twitter.com/fMXN82F4Dm
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) October 16, 2024
On the 16th of October, 2024, Messi bagged three goals in Argentina’s World Cup qualification game against Bolivia. Amazingly that was his 10th international treble, meaning he now has the same number as a certain CR7. Messi may struggle to surpass the Portuguese player’s records for career goals, international goals or international caps, but the hat-trick record seems likely to be his before too long. Messi, as we shall see, has age on his side.
Argentina beat Bolivia 6-0 to move clear at the top of South American qualifying. In addition to his hat-trick, the magician from Rosario also provided two assists. He is, in short, still an incredible footballer. For now at least he is the reigning Ballon d’Or champion. Although he has not been named among the 30 nominees for the 2024 award, which will be announced on the 28th of October 2024, most would still consider him among the game’s elite.
He took the decision to move to MLS, and Inter Miami, when he left PSG in 2023, but he could have opted to join a major European team. Former side Barcelona were among those reportedly interested but Messi was persuaded to take on the new challenge of playing in the States, ahead of the World Cup being co-hosted by the nation in 2026. Messi has well and truly hit the ground running with the Miami side, and turned their season around instantly in 2023.
Messi Motoring at Miami
In MLS 2024, his stats are truly staggering and are at the sort of levels we have always associated with him. MLS is not La Liga, or even Ligue 1, but it is far above the standard of the Saudi Pro League. In fact, according to several assessments, MLS now ranks inside the 10 best leagues on the planet and has been on an upward trajectory for some time.
Therefore, the fact that the World Cup winner has recorded 17 goals and 10 assists this season really is quite something. Oh, those 27 goal involvements come from just 18 games by the way. He is still doing the business on the pitch, often against some very decent teams and good defenders. He has been affected by a number of minor injuries in 2024, and whilst they have reduced the number of minutes he has played, they do not seem to have affected his productivity when he has taken to the pitch.
Things a Little Less Impressive with Argentina
Those same injuries have reduced his opportunities with Argentina this year, with Messi missing four games inured, starting eight times (though being withdrawn after 66 minutes in one of those), coming off the bench for half an hour in another clash, and being an unused sub in another.
From the nine matches he has played in, he has produced six goals and four assists. By virtually any standards, 10 goal involvements from nine games is incredible. However, the fact that five of those 10 came in his most recent outing suggest that he has not, in general, been as effective or productive as we are used to.
Messi vs Ronaldo: The Twighlight Years
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The debate over who is the better player, pointless though it may be in many ways, has been settled, in the opinion of many, in Messi’s favour. Certainly right now there can be no doubt that Messi is the superior player but much of that may be down to the fact that he is younger. The Argentine maestro is around two years and four months younger than his Portuguese rival and in their late 30s, that is a substantial difference.
Both players have adapted their games as they have aged but it may be the case that Messi’s style of play is better suited for longevity. Whilst his initial burst of acceleration was part of what made him so unplayable at his peak, Messi has trickery, cunning and a range of passing that Ronaldo does not. It would be unfair to say the latter’s game was all about pace and power but they were certainly key assets of his.
The best time to judge the relative merits of the two will be when they have both hung up their boots for good. Guessing when that day will be is perhaps a fool’s errand, with both seemingly happy to keep playing for as long as possible. Ultimately, all of us should simply be happy to have seen these two legends play.