Roger Milla on Ronaldo & Messi longevity: 'Reaching 50 seems impossible'

Legendary Cameroonian forward Roger Milla, who remains the oldest player to score at a World Cup, has expressed profound admiration for the enduring careers of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Milla set his record in 1994 at the age of 42 years and 39 days, and while the modern duo could challenge his place in history, Milla insists he holds no possessiveness over his legacy.

Discussing the potential for the stars to continue playing until the 2030 World Cup, Milla suggested that while elite performance into the mid-forties is achievable, there are physical limits. "Reaching 50 years seems to me impossible, but 43 or 44 years is perfectly possible," he noted.

I think it is beautiful what they continue to do. I say: hats off, Messi, hats off, Ronaldo! A player who does not run and continues to score goals deserves even more praise. Roger Milla

Milla believes that tactical intelligence and technical quality allow the pair to compensate for the natural decline in mobility. He observed that as the body slows down, the game becomes easier mentally, with positioning becoming the most important asset for an experienced player.

Ultimately, the Cameroonian icon stressed that football is defined by emotions rather than statistics. He maintains that records are meant to be broken, just as those of legends like Pelé or Maradona were in the past, and he remains more interested in the lasting emotional impact these players have had on the sport.