2024 promises more of 2023: Ronaldo-Messi’s rivalry, Guardiola’s evolution, Saudi’s Europe assault
Some footballing inevitabilities of the New Year: The two ageless emperors of our times, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, would continue their journey into timelessness. Pep Guardiola would continue his maniacal obsession to evolve, to enrich the game with more than just trophies and medals, but embellish the game with something truly immortal; Manchester United would envisage new ways to flounder their glorious heritage; Saudi would keep shelling out incredible sums to lure the best of Europe.
Messi turns 37 in June. Cristiano Ronaldo becomes 39 at the stroke of February. Both have achieved so much that you wonder what more they could achieve in football, or what more they need to achieve in the game. The World Cup dream fuels Ronaldo. It’s the only vacuum in his trophy-chest. He wo...