Former French forward Nicolas Anelka recently expressed his concerns regarding the transfer decisions of football superstars Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in 2022. Anelka criticized their moves to Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) respectively, stating that they were ‘not intelligent’ choices.
Both Ronaldo and Messi made headline-grabbing transfers in 2021 and 2022. Cristiano Ronaldo left Juventus to return to Manchester United, while Lionel Messi departed Barcelona to join PSG due to contract issues. Anelka, in a statement reported by Goal in March 2022, remarked on their decisions and career trajectories:
“This is what happens to players who want to play longer. Their careers are over and I think they must both be very happy with what they have achieved in the last 15 years. They were above the others and now it is normal for them to slow down.”
Anelka further expressed surprise at Messi’s move to France and Ronaldo’s return to the demanding Premier League. He believed that both players should have considered facing a less challenging environment to prolong their careers successfully. Anelka emphasized the importance of making strategic decisions to remain at the top of the game.
Interestingly, both Ronaldo and Messi eventually made moves to relatively lower leagues. Cristiano Ronaldo joined Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr in January 2023, while Lionel Messi signed with Major League Soccer outfit Inter Miami.
In a later interview in November 2023, Anelka discussed the impact of Ronaldo and Messi on the playing style of younger footballers. He noted that fewer aspiring players now choose to play as traditional No. 9 strikers, with many opting to emulate Ronaldo and Messi by playing on the wings. Anelka highlighted the influence of the two global icons on the next generation of footballers:
“Today, to find a number 9 there are fewer and fewer. The new generation was robbed by Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi. And Messi and Ronaldo are two offensive players, but not number 9 attackers. All the young people identified with Ronaldo and Messi wanted to start playing either on the left or the right.”
While Ronaldo initially made his mark as a left-winger before transitioning to a central striker role, Messi has excelled as a playmaker or false 9 throughout his career.
The comments made by Anelka offer a unique perspective on the career choices and playing styles of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. As two of the greatest footballers of all time, their decisions and impact on the sport continue to be a subject of debate and analysis within the football community.
