More than one football fan eagerly awaits the chance to see Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi share the pitch again, something that hasn’t happened since the Portuguese star played for Riyadh All Stars against PSG.

Now, things could take an unexpected turn, especially if Ronaldo heeds the advice of his former Manchester United teammate Wes Brown, who encourages him to "make the leap to North America" and reunite with his eternal rival to reignite their historic rivalry in Major League Soccer (MLS).

What did Wes Brown say?

In an interview with The Sports Daily, Brown remarked: "Cristiano Ronaldo should consider America, especially with Messi there. His level of play is still incredible. He’s sprinting at 40 years old, and I think he has a lot left to offer. It would be exciting to see them face off again in the MLS."

Cristiano Ronaldo to become a free agent in 2025

Ronaldo’s record-breaking contract with Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League is set to expire in the summer of 2025, opening the door for a potential move to the MLS. Unless a renewal is agreed upon, the possibility of this iconic reunion remains alive.

Meanwhile, Lionel Messi, who joined Inter Miami in 2023, enjoyed a highly successful season, winning the Supporters' Shield and earning the MVP title in 2024. His contract with the Florida club runs for another 12 months.

What’s next for CR7?

Having scored 50 goals during the 2023-2024 season with Al-Nassr and 16 more in the current campaign, Ronaldo has expressed his desire to continue playing well past his 40th birthday, aiming for the ambitious milestone of 1,000 career goals.

The last time Ronaldo and Messi faced each other

Their last encounter was on January 19, 2023, when Riyadh All Stars faced PSG in Ronaldo’s debut match in Saudi Arabia.

In that thrilling match, PSG emerged victorious with a 5-4 scoreline. Goals came from Marquinhos, Sergio Ramos, Kylian Mbappé, Hugo Ekitike, and, of course, Messi, who found the net just three minutes into the game.

On the other side, Ronaldo scored a brace (34’ and 45+6’), while Jang Hyun-Soo and Anderson Talisca added the other two goals for Riyadh All Stars.

Ronaldo’s first goal came from a penalty, expertly converting with a powerful shot to the right, sending his former Real Madrid teammate, Keylor Navas, the wrong way. His second was a fortunate rebound, capitalizing on a defensive error by Sergio Ramos after his header hit the post.