Summary

Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Mohamed Salah have spent the past two decades defining one of soccer’s greatest eras. Now, as the 2026 FIFA World Cup marks Ronaldo’s final appearance at the tournament and another defining moment in the careers of Messi and Salah, they’re also preparing for life beyond the pitch. Before Messi’s Argentina beat Salah’s Egypt in one of the tournament’s best matches on Tuesday, Salah was asked which player he would choose for one final “last dance” from a generation that included both Messi and Ronaldo.

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