All football legends were done at club level at their early 30s, Messi has managed to keep a high level for a little longer. He proved that he can be decisive for short periods of time, even now, by winning the WC. But what the fuck have other legends done at this age?
Pele was close to retirement, playing in the MLS. His last great achievement was the 1970 WC, aged 30. He did not even win the brazilian league after he was 28.
Maradona’s last major title was the 1990 Serie A, aged 30. He was already a shadow of his former self in the 1990 WC and was driven out of Napoli in 1991. Imagine the backlash he would receive today..
Cruyff left Barca aged 31, R9 and Ronaldinho were done before even turning 30, Zidane’s last major club title was the 2002 CL playing in the Galacticos aged 30. You see the pattern.
The only comparison to Leo is CR7 who was lucky enough to play in one of the most talented and well developed and coached teams of the last decades as soon as he turned 30. Of course he was dedicated af and was a very big reason for winning the 4 CLs, but of course it is the truth that he was playing in a great team. As soon as he left, he faced embarrassing CL exits with Juventus.
Messi of course also played in great teams when he won the CL.
But to the people point out their CL KO goal record:
Look at the actual, factual help they got in the CL. Even the “greatest team of all time” would do fuck all without Messi in the CL. He scored twice to barely qualify vs Arsenal, he scored twice in the Bernabeu in the semis and scored the crucial goal in the final. In 2015 he unlocked the Bayern defence and sealed the tie.
On the other hand, CR had the luxury of teammates taking over when he was off. In 2014 he was fantastic but in the final he was a ghost and had to be saved from Ramos’ goal, only to score a Penaldo after the game was finished. In 2016 and 2018 he scored a grand total of 0 of the total 10 goals Real scored in the semis and finals.