2027: Change of era

Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr contract expires in 2027, the same year as Luka Modrić's Milan deal, marking the end of a generation that dominated football for 15 years.

A generation of football's greatest players is entering its twilight. Cristiano Ronaldo has acknowledged that 2027 may mark the end of his career, with his Al Nassr contract expiring that year—the same timeline as Luka Modrić's deal at Milan. Between 2008 and 2023, four players won the Ballon d'Or: Messi (8 times), Cristiano Ronaldo (5), Modrić (1), and Karim Benzema (1). Their combined trophy haul exceeds 500 official titles. Managers including Pep Guardiola and Jürgen Klopp have described their rivalry and dominance as extraordinary, with Guardiola famously saying Messi owned the throne and only he would decide when to leave it.