Cristiano Ronaldo in 'different franchise' to Lionel Messi would 'make sense' if Portuguese GOAT fancies MLS adventure alongside eternal rival

Published Jul. 23, 2026 3:56 a.m. ET

GOAL

Messi joined by familiar faces at Inter Miami

Sir David Beckham was able to lure Argentine superstar Messi to America in 2023. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has delivered Leagues Cup, Supporters’ Shield and MLS Cup success to South Florida, while

He has been joined in the Sunshine State by a few familiar faces, with the likes of Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul agreeing to represent the Herons. Brazilian midfielder

Could Ronaldo tread that path at some stage? There is little left for the Portuguese forward to achieve in what has been a record-shattering career. He is now 41 years of age and

Will Ronaldo ever be a team-mate of Messi?

Silvestre - who once worked alongside Ronaldo at Manchester United - cannot see a remarkable deal being agreed. Having spent time in MLS himself with the Portland Timbers, the Frenchman - speaking in association with

Silvestre added on

“It would make more sense also for any manager. I don't think they can be in the same dressing room. Not that they wouldn't get along, it's not that I'm saying that. In terms of Messi’s mind, being the leader, you can only have one. So I think having them in a different franchise would make more sense.”

Beckham building ambitious project in MLS

Another former MLS star and one-time team-mate of Ronaldo at Old Trafford, ex-Italy international Giuseppe Rossi, has previously told

“I don't want to see Messi and Ronaldo together. That would be kind of weird. Just keep them separate. If Ronaldo wants to play in the US, you put him on - what's another team in Florida? Orlando. So at least they could have a good rivalry there.”

If anybody were to make that dream reality, though, then it would be United and England legend Beckham - as he continues to call shots as a co-owner of Inter Miami. Robert Earnshaw - who once represented Toronto FC, the Chicago Fire and Vancouver Whitecaps - told

“Unfortunately, I don’t think it will ever happen. All of the fanatics, we would love to see them play in a team one day and work together before they both retire. I don’t think it will happen but if there was a chance, I think David Beckham would be the one to make that happen.”