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Asharq Al-Awsat
Asharq Al-Awsat
Sport
Asharq Al-Awsat

Messi and Ronaldo Look Set for Final Shot at World Cup Glory

Cristiano Ronaldo Lionel Messi World Cup Diego Maradona Pele UEFA Champions League Football Qatar FC Barcelona
Football - Champions League - Round of 16 Draw - Nyon, Switzerland - November 7, 2022 An image of Cristiano Ronaldo is seen as club representatives talk after the Champions League draw. (Reuters)

The World Cup stage is set for perhaps one final shootout between the two greatest football players of their generation — and to many, the two greatest of all time.

Surely, this year's tournament in Qatar presents Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo with one last chance to win the ultimate trophy. Even by their own remarkable powers of endurance, it is unlikely either will be around for the next tournament in 2026 when Messi will be 39 and Ronaldo 41.

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