The 2026 World Cup in Canada, the US, and Mexico is shaping up to be a stage for an extraordinary cadre of aging legends. Cristiano Ronaldo, at 41, and Lionel Messi, at 39, lead a group of seven players who have already passed their 40th birthdays—a tally equal to all previous World Cups combined. While their longevity speaks to advancements in sports science, their on-field influence raises pressing questions. For Portugal in particular, Ronaldo's presence may be less a fairytale ending and more a strategic liability.
Messi's participation was thrown into doubt after he limped off during Inter Miami's 6-4 win over Philadelphia Union, citing "muscular overload." At 39, the Argentine remains the focal point of his national team, his capacity for a defense-splitting pass or a moment of improvisation still unmatched. Yet his body is sending clear signals that the highest level of competition may now be beyond his consistent reach. Argentina's strategy, much like in 2022, will likely involve Julian Álvarez and others sacrificing themselves to accommodate his limited mobility.
Ronaldo's situation is far more stark. The Portuguese icon has evolved from a explosive winger to a penalty-box poacher, but even that version has faded. Now in the Saudi Pro League, he lumbers about, his movement heavily restricted. While he remains decent in the air and a capable finisher, the explosive power that once allowed him to single-handedly decide matches is gone. Critics argue that his continued selection is now an act of sentiment rather than tactical sense.
Compounding the issue, Ronaldo's suspension for a red card against Ireland was commuted just in time for the tournament. The decision, widely seen as FIFA's effort to ensure star appeal, may actually harm Portugal. It prolongs the dilemma that manager Roberto Martínez faces: how to integrate a 41-year-old whose immobility clogs the attacking flow, especially when a dynamic generation of creators—including Rafael Leão, Bruno Fernandes, and Bernardo Silva—are in their prime.
History offers scant comparable. Only seven players have ever appeared at a World Cup aged 40 or over, most of them goalkeepers. Roger Milla's return for Cameroon at 42 in 1994 remains the outlier, but even his impact was limited. Now, seven over-40 players in a single tournament underscores a shift. Part of it is the expanded 48-team format, which allows nations like Cape Verde to qualify with 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha. But it also reflects genuine physical resilience.
Sports science deserves credit: improved nutrition, recovery protocols, and rehab techniques have extended careers. Players like James Milner and Robert Lewandowski only recently showed wear well into their 30s. Yet the physical toll on outfield players is different. For outfielders, the 500-game rule often signals decline, and Ronaldo has far surpassed that. Being in incredible shape for a 41-year-old does not equate to being effective at the World Cup level.
The paradox for Portugal is painful. In the 2022 tournament, when Ronaldo was dropped for Gonçalo Ramos against Switzerland, the team scored six goals with a newfound verve. Yet the stadium still roared louder for Ronaldo's cameo than for the goals. This obsession with celebrity over collective performance threatens to undermine a generation that could dominate. Portugal have not produced a world-class centre-forward since Eusébio, but that does not justify persisting with a figure who now acts as an "albatross," as Jonathan Wilson described.
Messi, by contrast, still offers enough magic to justify the compromise. His late-career transformation into a deep-lying playmaker means he can influence games without constant pressing. But even for him, the reliance on others to cover defensively is a gamble. The muscular overload incident is a red flag: at 39, his body may not withstand the compressed schedule of a World Cup.
The broader narrative extends beyond these two. Luka Modric, at 40, remains essential for Croatia not out of nostalgia but because he is still their best midfielder. Edin Dzeko, also 40, fills a similar role for Bosnia. Their selections are merit-based. Ronaldo's, however, appears driven by marketability and a culture that prioritizes individual stars over team dynamics. The commutation of his ban only reinforces the suspicion that FIFA values his presence more than competitive integrity.
Portugal's creative talents—Leão, Fernandes, Silva, and even João Félix—deserve a platform free from the shadow of a legend who can no longer pull his weight. The irony is that Ronaldo's suspension being overturned, intended as a gift, might instead stifle the team. If Martínez lacks the courage to relegate him to a super-sub role, Portugal could squander a golden opportunity. The World Cup has often been cruel to those who overstay their welcome.
Ultimately, this World Cup will test not just the physical limits of its oldest players but the wisdom of the teams that select them. While Ronaldo's incredible conditioning is a testament to his professionalism, the game has evolved. Pressing, spacing, and constant movement are non-negotiable at the elite level. A 41-year-old forward who can't press is a luxury that modern systems cannot afford, no matter how many goals he once scored.
As the tournament kicks off, the world will watch to see whether these veterans defy time or confirm its toll. For Argentina, Messi may yet conjure a final act of genius. For Portugal, the hope is that Ronaldo's presence doesn't become the curse that many fear. The coming weeks will reveal whether loyalty or pragmatism prevails. Based on reporting from The Guardian.
