GOAT’S SIGNING OFF!

-by Ayushman Sinha

There are very few names in the world of football which resound as loudly as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. For nearly two decades their rivalry has been the talk of the sport and they have propelled football to greater heights through their superhuman feats on the field. Every year fans and pundits alike waited with bated breath for the Ballon d’Or shortlist, knowing these two giants would be there, vying to add to their collection of awards and recognitions. But in 2024, for the first time in nearly 20 years , the list was released without their names in it. And in that very moment a sigh of nostalgia and melancholy spread through the football world.

IT IS THE END OF AN ERA!

For an entire generation these two have been the faces of world football. They redefined what was possible on the pitch. Ronaldo, with his relentless work ethic, dazzling speed, and lethal finishing, embodied the spirit of hard work and resilience. Messi, with his ethereal dribbling, vision, and creativity, was the magician who made the impossible seem routine. Between them, they’ve won the Ballon d'Or a staggering 13 times. Their rivalry however was more than just a personal competition; it was the fuel that drove both of them to their unparalleled greatness. They’ve played across multiple countries, continents, and clubs, but whether it was at Real Madrid, Barcelona, Juventus, or PSG, the debate over who was the greatest never ceased. No matter where they went, they raised the standards for the game, inspiring a generation of young players and captivating billions of fans worldwide.

Seeing the Ballon d’Or shortlist without Messi and Ronaldo feels surreal, almost as though football itself has shifted. But of one must realize that aging is inevitable and even legends must one day bow down to the might of time. At 36 and 38, respectively, both players are in the twilight of their careers. While they continue to play at a high level—Ronaldo with Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia and Messi in Major League Soccer with Inter Miami—the sport has started to move on.

The sport now boasts the names of young stars like Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, and Jude Bellingham—players who grew up watching Ronaldo and Messi and are now ready to carry the torch forward. Though the cycle of Football continues, the moment doesn’t become any less heart wrenching.

For our generation they aren’t just footballers. They are symbols of an extraordinary time in football’s history. We didn’t just watch their goals; we witnessed moments that felt larger than life. The iconic El Clásico battles between Real Madrid and Barcelona, the Champions League nights filled with drama, and the records that tumbled in their wake—it all felt eternal. We lived through their highs and their heartbreaks. And now, we are also witnessing their gradual exit from the very stage, which they dominated for so long.

Football will go on. New stars will rise, and new rivalries will capture our imaginations. But Ronaldo and Messi will always be more than just athletes—they will always be a shared experience, a part of our lives that made us believe that magic can happen even on a place as simple as field of Football.

Though their careers might slowly be coming to an end, Ronaldo and Messi are far from ever being forgotten. Their legacy is etched into the very fabric of football. And while the sun may be setting on their dominance, the memories they’ve given us will never fade.

As we look to the future, we do so with gratitude. For two decades, we witnessed footballing greatness that may never be repeated. The absence of their names on that shortlist is a reminder of time’s inexorable march forward. But for those of us who lived through the Ronaldo-Messi era, we will always remember what they gave us—moments of pure joy, wonder, and inspiration.

And for that, we say thank you.