age is just a number

Ronaldo and Messi are still impressive despite advancing years

In recent decades, professional footballers seem to have prolonged their careers at the highest level of the game. Many players play well into their thirties and still maintain fantastic fitness levels despite the inevitability of ageing.

You only have to look at two of the football legends, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, for proof that players can still shine on the biggest stage well into their thirties.

Both players took part in international tournaments

Despite busy schedules in recent years, Ronaldo, who is now 39 years of age, and his former nemesis Messi, who turned 37 in June, both appeared for their nations at international tournaments this summer.

Ronaldo experienced a disappointing Euro2024 campaign with Portugal, exiting after a penalty shootout defeat against Germany in the quarter-finals.

The forward received criticism for his lack of goal contributions and the fact that he was taking every set-piece for his team. However, appearing at a major tournament as an outfield player at 39 and playing every minute of his team’s tournament is an impressive feat.

Meanwhile, Messi was somewhat more successful with Argentina, as La Albiceleste claimed a second straight Copa America title and their third straight major international tournament title.

The Inter Miami star made five appearances at the Copa, scoring a goal and providing an assist. It was not his greatest tournament, but again, he is 37 years old, so you can’t expect vintage Messi.

It would be harsh to judge Ronaldo or Messi on their performances, as both are heading towards the end of their career. Neither should be expected to perform still as they did in their 20s or even early thirties.

Training routines have been crucial

One vital part of both players’ longevity has obviously been their training routines. Ronaldo is particularly famous for his lifestyle, which contributes to his incredible physique.

He reportedly works out 3-4 hours daily, including leg workouts, glute activation, and push-up techniques for upper body strength.

Ronaldo is also renowned for his love of ice baths, which former teammate Jose Fonte claims he took at 2 am to aid his recovery. Other reports claim the Portuguese superstar has daily ice baths at 3 am.

The forward is the ultimate professional who would not still be playing if it were not for such a strict routine. Another massive part of Ronaldo’s fitness regime is rest.

Ronaldo ensures he gets eight hours of sleep per night and takes 90-minute naps to aid his body’s recovery.

According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, adults should get 7-9 hours of sleep per night. Ronaldo is certainly getting the recommended rest, including his naps.  Perhaps he has invested in some quality bedding from company like Simba?  We’ve heard of players taking their own bedding with them when they go away, which makes sense when you consider they can spend half their lives in hotel rooms.  If they want my advice they will take a Simba Hybrid Mattress Topper with them, which from personal experience I can say has improved my restful sleep no end.

Messi is obviously completely opposite to his long-time counterpart in stature. Although his fitness routine is not as rigorous as Ronaldo’s, his methods have still contributed to the longevity of his career.

The Argentinian’s routine is based more on agility than strength. However, he does do leg squats to help him maintain the strength in his leg muscles.

His main training consists of skipping past hurdles, cones and various obstacles to aid his movement while on the pitch. Lunges, hamstring stretches and pillar skips are also part of his regular routine.

The difference between the pair’s routines illustrates that everybody is different, and body type is vital when you are considering a training routine.

Will Ronaldo or Messi quit playing football in the near future?

Neither player seems ready to hang up their boots just yet. In May, Ronaldo stated that he was not ready to retire, which is unsurprising as he scored 35 goals in 31 appearances for Al Nassr of Saudi Arabia last season.

In an interview after his team’s Copa America final win, Messi was asked if he would play at the World Cup 2026, and he said that if his body were up to it, he wouldn’t rule it out.

The diminutive forward famously retired from international football in 2016 when he missed a penalty kick against Chile in the final of the Copa America.

Since coming out of international retirement, he has won the Copa America twice, as well as the World Cup in 2022.

It will be a sad day for football when the pair do finally call time on their careers, as they are quite simply two of the best players to have ever graced a football pitch. Watching these two players slog it out for supremacy has been a privilege.

However, they are only human beings, and even legends eventually lose the fight with their bodies. It seems that we could see the legends on a football pitch for a short time longer, at least.

Who is your favourite player from Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi?

Scroll to top