Named as “The End is Near”, the latest documentary featuring two of football’s greatest, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo relays the story of the meteoric ascent of the two superstars followed by an extro that hints at the twilight of the duo’s iconic character.
The documentary displays how Lionel Messi braved his initial struggles before joining the shiny ranks of the Catalans while for Ronaldo it showcases the iconic match where Ron ran rings around Manchester United for Sporting CP.
Here is what ‘The End is Near’ has to show about the two giants of the sport
Before the ultimate clash in the 2009 final where Messi and Ronaldo met, multiple montages showcase the exemplary struggles of both the stars laced with the perfect backdrop where the duo fends off countless obstacles to reach the final stage of glory.
Ronaldo’s ascent to the pinnacle stars glimpses of his extraordinary display at Santiago Bernabeu, featuring El Clasicos to Balon d’Ors.
‘The End Is Near’ also portrays the upcoming decline of the two stars as age has insidiously caught up with them, undermining their potential as they struggle to relive their glory days.
For the first time since the latter half of the opening decade in the 21st century, the duo is still to kiss double digits. Gary Neville explained to Star Sports why the two have fallen from grace as he quoted, “We may see cameos or little swansongs here and there, but there is no doubt that Ronaldo and Messi are coming to the end of their careers.”
He further added, “That’s not to say they are coming to the end of their careers and will retire at the end of the season; Ronaldo and Messi could play three or four more years, knowing their fitness. Declining seems like the wrong word when talking about two great players, but there is no doubt they are declining forces.”
Neville also hinted at the future saying that the stars of tomorrow will include Kylian Mbappe, Mohammed Salah, Erling Haaland and Robert Lewandowski. Even the last two names may not exactly portray the future, yet they have a good deal of football left in them before they pay their last tributes to the sport.
Neville quoted, “At this moment in time, for the first time in years, if you asked people which player in the world they would sign if I could only pick one, no one would say Messi or Ronaldo. They would likely say Mbappe, Erling Haaland, Mohamed Salah, Robert Lewandowski.”
He concluded by saying, “You would be naming players other than Ronaldo and Messi, and that is the clearest sign that, while these two are still operating at the highest level, they are fading from the levels they were at before. They are no longer the best players in the world.”
