At a pre-match press conference ahead of Manchester United’s clash with Burnley, José Mourinho was asked about Michael Carrick’s limited 12 minutes of Premier League action this season. Out of nowhere, the United boss mentioned Lionel Messi: “Five years from now, Messi will be 34, and we’ll all be crying because he’ll already be 34.” As imaginative as ever, Mourinho wasn’t making a deep tactical point—only that even the greatest, like Messi, cannot outrun time forever. Yet his comment raises an intriguing question: when Messi does turn 34, will we truly “cry for his aging,” as Mourinho suggested?

Football’s conventional wisdom says that once players pass 30, their physical attributes begin to decline. Wayne Rooney may be the latest example, but certainly not the last. At 34, very few remain at the absolute top. Diego Maradona, for instance, played in the 1994 World Cup at that age but was sent home after a failed drug test, and even before that he had declined significantly from his 1986 peak. Pelé, at 34 in 1974, had already left Santos and was playing occasional games before moving to the United States—seen by many as semi-retirement. Johan Cruyff, also 34, was in the NASL before returning to Europe to play in Spain’s second division with Levante, later ending his career in the Netherlands.

Messi’s fortune lies in the era he plays in. Modern football is intertwined with advanced sports science, allowing players’ fitness to be monitored and fine-tuned with precision. Recovery methods, nutrition, and conditioning are far more advanced, ensuring careers last longer. Messi also benefits from a highly disciplined private life, unlike some past greats, which further extends his prime years. Contemporary comparisons strengthen the argument—Andrés Iniesta, at 32, was still an undisputed starter for both Barcelona and Spain. Xavi left Barcelona at 35 after making 44 appearances in his final season, contributing goals, assists, and tactical control as a vital substitute. David Villa, now 35, scored 23 goals in the latest MLS season, even sparking debate over a possible return to Spain’s national team. If they could maintain such levels, there’s every reason to believe Messi can too.

Statistics are on his side. Last weekend against Granada, Messi didn’t score, yet after 12 matches this season he had 14 goals—averaging a strike every 66 minutes, his best start to any season. Since Luis Enrique took over, Messi’s scoring rate has even surpassed that of Barcelona’s famed “Pep era.” At 29, he appears to be getting sharper with age, thanks in part to tactical evolution. In recent seasons, Messi has dropped deeper, taking on more creative and transitional roles instead of relentlessly charging into the box. This adaptation makes it easier for him to remain crucial well into his thirties. Neymar has taken on more of the direct dribbling and penetration duties, while Luis Suárez draws defensive attention, freeing Messi from constant triple or quadruple marking. Spanish media have dubbed him “the genius who walks,” reflecting his efficiency—covering less ground but extracting maximum impact.

There’s little need for Mourinho to worry. At 34, Messi’s goal numbers might dip, but his vision, passing, and unmatched football intelligence will still make him one of the sport’s most decisive figures. From Barcelona’s standpoint, he is more than a player—he is the club’s living emblem. New stars may arrive, but there will only ever be one Messi, and the club will do everything possible to keep him for as long as he wishes to play. When time eventually catches up with him, the football world will indeed shed tears—but at 34? That might be too soon. And for fans following both football and Live Cricket BPL action, Messi’s longevity serves as a reminder that the truly great adapt their game to stay on top, delivering moments of brilliance long after others have faded. The day Messi finally bows to time will be one of sport’s most emotional moments, but until then, his story—like a thrilling Live Cricket BPL match—still has many chapters left to write.