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Cameroon football icon Roger Milla has shared his thoughts on the remarkable longevity of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, praising the duo for continuing to perform at the highest level as they approach the twilight of their careers. Milla, who famously holds the record as the oldest goal scorer in World Cup history, admitted that while playing until 50 may be unrealistic, he wouldn’t mind seeing his long-standing record eventually broken by either of the two modern greats.

Milla, the star of Cameroon’s memorable 1990 World Cup campaign, expressed deep admiration for Ronaldo, now 41, and Messi, 39, highlighting their ability to maintain world-class standards despite their advancing years.

Having scored at the age of 42 years and 39 days against Russia during the 1994 World Cup, Milla still stands as the oldest player to net in the tournament. Yet, he confessed that he would welcome it if either Ronaldo or Messi eclipsed his record, even though that would require them to feature in the 2030 edition of the event.

Speaking to A Bola, Milla said: “I find it beautiful what they continue to do. I say: hats off, Messi, hats off, Ronaldo! People say they no longer run, but a player who doesn’t run and still scores goals deserves even greater praise. What amazes me is their ability to remain decisive. That’s not something everyone can do. If a player feels fit and strong, he should continue. Age matters little as long as he proves his capability. And they keep doing that.”

When asked about the ongoing debate over the duo’s reduced mobility, Milla insisted that their exceptional technical quality and tactical awareness compensate for any physical decline. As Messi continues to shine with seven goals so far in the competition, Milla observed that experience allows players to think faster even as their physical speed decreases.

“Technical quality never disappears,” said the Indomitable Lion. “A technically gifted player doesn’t need to run like a youngster. Good positioning makes up for a lot. The older you get, the smarter you become tactically and even technically. Over time, you learn where to position yourself, how to receive the ball, and how to gain an advantage over your opponent. It’s a balance between what you lose and what you gain.”

Reflecting on longevity in football, Milla believes that while 50 may be out of reach, playing into one’s mid-forties is entirely feasible for elite professionals. “Reaching 50 years seems impossible to me, but 43 or 44 is perfectly achievable,” he said. “When the body says enough, you must listen. There’s no point in fooling yourself. At that age, when you come off the pitch, you’re completely drained.”

Despite holding one of the most celebrated records in World Cup history for over 30 years, Milla insists he is not protective of his legacy. For him, football’s true value lies in the emotions it evokes rather than the statistics. “I don’t need to keep that record,” he concluded. “Records are made to be broken. The ones held by Pelé, Michel Platini, or Diego Maradona were surpassed too. What makes me proud is having played three World Cups for my country and bringing joy to people. Football is not just about numbers.”