FORMER Premier League star Nicolas Anelka has claimed the careers of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are “over”.
Messi, 34, transferred to Paris Saint-Germain in the summer and since arriving has struggled to find his best form from his Barcelona days.
Nicolas Anelka believes Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have played for too long and are now finished at the top level. Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd For Ronaldo, 37, he has been partially blamed for underwhelming season Manchester United are having.
Anelka believes:, “This is what happens to players who want to play longer.
“Their careers are over and I think they both have to 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.”
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Sun shining on St Patrick’s day as punters pour in for more action The ex-France international cites that he went to play in China when he was 32-years-old as he knew he could no longer meet the standards at the highest level.
Anelka claims: “Both of them should have been smarter.
“They should have thought about taking on a less complicated challenge because you have to make the right decisions to finish on top.”
Ronaldo has netted 18 times and registered three assists in 33 Man Utd matches but performances have been disappointing at times, failing to work in Ralf Rangnick’s pressing style.
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On the other hand, Messi has only managed seven goals and 11 assists in 26 PSG matches and has produced few moments of magic we’re used to.
Both suffered Champions League exits, Ronaldo to Atletico Madrid, meanwhile Messi was on the receiving end of Real Madrid’s dramatic comeback.
Anelka told RMC Sport, “I was more surprised by Messi than by Ronaldo.
“I thought Messi would take a walk in France.
“And Ronaldo would have more difficulties in England because, for me, the Premier League is the most demanding in the world.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk