Nicolas Anelka criticizes Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi: ‘Their careers are over’
Messi Cristiano Ronaldo
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Nicolas Anelka slams Messi and Ronaldo’s move and thinks they should have found an easier challenge.
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo’s decisions to join Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United respectively last summer were “not clever”, according to ex-Chelsea star Nicolas Anelka. The Frenchman reckons there would have been no shame if the two superstars had already hung up their boots.
“It happens to players who want to play longer,” Anelka told RMC Sports. “Their careers are over and I think they should both be very happy with what they’ve achieved over the past 15 years. They’ve been above each other’s level and now it’s normal for things to calm down.”
Anelka would have expected Messi and CR7 to retire in another league, much like he did. “They weren’t smart. They should have thought about taking on a less complicated challenge. There are players who don’t hesitate to retire at 32, 33, 34. I quit at 36, but at 32 I am went to China.”
Anelka: ‘I was more surprised by Messi than by Ronaldo’
Above all, Messi’s move from FC Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain could not understand the 43-year-old Anelka, he was “more surprised at Messi than at Ronaldo” and emphasizes: “I thought that Messi would turn up in France and Ronaldo in England more Difficulties because I think the Premier League is the most demanding league in the world.”
Both Messi and Ronaldo had to say goodbye to the premier class after the Champions League round of 16. Both players still have a contract with their clubs until 2023.