Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi will go down in the history of soccer for their sporting achievements. But they need to start thinking about what to do after retirement. The rivalry between the legends can continue as they explore different avenues to cement their legacies.
It's sad to think that these greats will one day hang up their boots, but there’s a strong chance that they can remain in the public eye in a variety of ways.
Break Into Management
Many ex-soccer stars attempt to get into management after they finish playing the sport, and it’s fair to say that the results are a mixed bag. Some iconic players have gone on to become amazing managers, with Pep Guardiola, Xavi, and Zinedine Zidane among the most famous of these.
However, most of the top managers in the business such as Marcelo Bielsa and José Mourinho never became legends on the playing field. Ronaldo and Messi could opt to continue their longstanding rivalry as managers, and this would be a scenario that many would want to see.
It’s clear that both have exceptional soccer IQs, but the question is whether they can translate this ability into strategy and tactics on the pitch. The dream situation would be for Ronaldo and Messi to manage Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively. Then they could rekindle the feud that they relished in their heydays.
Explore Options in the Entertainment Industry
Ronaldo and Messi could look into commissioning entertainment options. This would help to preserve their names in history for future generations to discover.
One of the best ways to do this would be in the online casino market, as this is popular in countries where soccer isn’t quite as big. Canada, for instance, has relatively low interest in the sport, but many people play at iGaming sites. There are some sport-themed options among the online Ontario casino slots. For instance, Football Penny Roller and Football Finals are a couple of fan favorites. A Messi or Ronaldo-based title wouldn’t look out of place among these.
Another option to explore could be to develop a television series about the lives of these amazing players. It could show how they managed to become icons of the game. There’s no doubt that streaming services such as Netflix would be keen to make this type of content.
Buy a Soccer Franchise
Another excellent option for Ronaldo or Messi could be to follow in the footsteps of David Beckham and start a soccer franchise. The former England and Manchester United star is one of the biggest names in the sport in the USA, and founding Inter Miami has added to his legacy.
There’s no doubt that Messi or Ronaldo could easily do the same thing, using their star power and wealth to attract investment and players. The MLS is growing rapidly, and it would most likely welcome a franchise from one of these greats.
The battle between Ronaldo and Messi is set to continue after they retire from the game. The question now is, who can forge the greatest legacy?