Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are unlikely to feature in the 2030 World Cup, according to former France international Mikael Silvestre. The legendary players participated in the 2026 World Cup, but Silvestre believes the demands of the sport will make a 2030 appearance improbable.
Ronaldo will be 45 years old and Messi will be 43 by the time the 2030 tournament kicks off, which will be co-hosted by Portugal, Spain, and Morocco.
Despite their advanced age for professional footballers, both players continue to perform at high levels. Ronaldo has a contract with Saudi Pro League champions Al-Nassr through 2025, and Messi is tied to MLS club Inter Miami until 2028. Portugal's new manager, Jorge Jesus, has indicated a possibility of Ronaldo extending his international career through Euro 2028, while Argentina hopes Messi will continue adding to his record caps.
Silvestre, who played alongside Ronaldo at Manchester United, told GOAL that while he doesn't foresee an end to their club careers, the physical toll of international tournaments like the World Cup might be too great.
"I think the legacy, they need to think about it," Silvestre said. "I don't think it would make sense on the sporting side to be trying to play still. There's too much demand on the physical side of the game, not on the technical side. The physical side, it's hard. I don't expect them to play the next World Cup in four years' time."
He added, "Apart from the World Cup, which is four years, I don't put any end to their career. These guys are passionate about the game that much. They are still so impactful and dedicated to their career. All that matters is playing well and winning trophies. I don't see them hanging their boots any time soon."
Following Portugal's exit from the 2026 World Cup, Ronaldo stated, "It was my last World Cup, yes." Messi also reflected on his team's performance in the 2026 final, expressing the immense pain of defeat but also pride in his team's efforts and the support of Argentina's fans.
Neither player has made definitive statements about their international future beyond the 2026 tournament, leaving the door open for speculation. However, Silvestre's comments suggest that the physical demands of competing at the highest international level may prove to be the deciding factor in whether either player participates in a potential seventh World Cup.