In FIFA World Cup historical past, solely a choose few gamers have competed in 5 tournaments. Now, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo stand on the point of breaking that document. As they’ve finished all through their illustrious careers, the 2 world superstars are strolling related paths towards a sixth World Cup look. With simply over a yr and a half till the match begins, A former USMNT coach believes they may nonetheless grace the worldwide stage.
“Each Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo gave us quite a lot of pleasure over the past 15 years, quite a lot of pleasure, and so they nonetheless do,” Jurgen Klinsmann stated in an interview with ESPN. “I hope they are going to be on the 2026 World Cup. I nonetheless assume we’ll have them each there.”
The German legend stays optimistic, although he is aware of that it’s a protracted shot, given the ages of each gamers and the time remaining till the subsequent World Cup. By June 2026, within the midst of the match, Messi will flip 39, whereas CR7 will likely be 41. Nonetheless, Jurgen believes their participation is feasible. Actually, he has witnessed examples from the previous, together with Cameroon’s Roger Milla, who scored a purpose in opposition to Russia on the 1994 World Cup on the exceptional age of 42.
Past the dialogue about Messi and Ronaldo, Klinsmann expressed his pleasure for the 2026 match. “I believe the World Cup arising in the US, Mexico, and Canada will likely be unimaginable,” he stated. “Will probably be the primary with 48 groups, and there’s a lot of pleasure to come back within the subsequent few years.”
Nationwide coach Jürgen Klinsmann (Germany, left) bids farewell to Luis Figo (middle) and Cristiano Ronaldo (each Portugal) Soccer World Cup Males’s World Cup 2006.
Klinsmann’s favourite for the 2026 World Cup
As a participant, Jurgen Klinsmann received the World Cup with Germany in 1990 and went on to compete within the subsequent two editions of the match. As a coach, he guided his nation’s nationwide tream to the semifinals in 2006 and later led the United States throughout the 2014 World Cup.
Along with his wealth of expertise, the 60-year-old coach holds vital authority to share his insights and determine the staff he sees as the favourite for the subsequent World Cup. “Argentina will likely be defending the title, so they’re the staff to beat,” Klinsmann acknowledged.
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Klinsmann is a Messi admirer
Jurgen Klinsmann didn’t cover his admiration for Lionel Messi, recalling his pleasure when the Argentine star lifted the trophy on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. “All of us, deep down inside, wished Messi to win the World Cup in order that he would attain the identical stage with which the Argentines view (Diego) Maradona,” Klinsmann admitted. “And he did: he introduced them the World Cup in Qatar, two Copa Americas, which is unimaginable. He’s nonetheless enjoying at a excessive stage and doing nicely… What he’s finished in his profession is unimaginable, superb.”
