Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo’s battle for GOAT status on the pitch is almost over, as the two are in the twilight years of their playing careers. That doesn’t mean that the rivalry is over, though. Instead, it could be entering a new realm.
The competition now will turn to which of these legends can develop the greatest legacy. The Messi vs Ronaldo debate could continue for decades more if these players make the right moves after hanging up their boots.
Leveraging the Entertainment Industry Could Prove Lucrative
One way for Messi and Ronaldo to get their faces in front of a wider audience and remain in the mainstream for many years to come is to tap into the entertainment industry. In this sector, titles can live on for a long time and get seen by different generations.
Take the live roulette table, for example. These games have existed for hundreds of years but are still popular at online casinos today. Now, there are themed games available, such as the Fireball Roulette game, which uses football elements. If Messi or Ronaldo were to lend their likeness to a themed table game or slot, it could help them to stay in the public eye for much longer.
Another option could be to go down the Netflix route or to sign a contract with another streaming service. The platform could make an array of content about the footballers, from documentary series to reality shows about their everyday lives. There would most likely be a huge audience for these, and the potential for them to run for many seasons is there.
Could They Go on to Battle as Managers?
One of the most common pathways for ex-footballers is to move into coaching and manage their own teams. There have been many success stories of former players who have had success in the realm of management, with Xavi and Zinedine Zidane two recent prime examples.
It would be amazing if Messi and Ronaldo went on to become the best managers in the business as well. In ten years’ time, it would be incredible to see them facing off in an El Clásico again, this time directing the action from the dugouts rather than affecting it on the pitch.
Buying a Football Club Could be an Option
Some former players try to build their legacy by buying football clubs, but it’s not something that most can do. This is reserved for the players who achieved elite-level riches during their playing days, with David Beckham’s purchase of Inter Miami acting as a model to follow.
Messi and Ronaldo have amassed huge fortunes through their careers thanks to wages and endorsements, so they could have enough saved up to buy their own clubs. This would be another way for their names to live on for centuries and for people to always remember them.
Messi and Ronaldo will doubtlessly be remembered for years, but there’s a chance that talk of their rivalry will soon die out. By moving into entertainment and other ways to stay in football, the debate over who’s the best can carry on long into the future.