24:02
Well, look, this week, great news, Cristiano Ronaldo, an incredible career, 146 goals with Portugal, an absolute icon, a legend of the sport. He.he has retired. When you look at those numbers, you played against him. Dangerous, isn't it? It's dangerous to fall short. A player with a pure aura, his consistency, the goals, how relentless and ruthless he was as a player. You know, he started as a winger but became a true number nine, a finisher number nine. And the numbers are there for everyone to see. A phenomenal footballer, a truly difficult opponent to play against. Someone entering the tunnel with size, presence, an elite footballer. And to perform, you know
, for the club and the country for so long and to continue doing so now from a club perspective. Okay, the international part is over. Incredible, incredible. Lucy, regarding how things ended for him in Portugal, it was great to see so many messages about his career. But do you think he'll have any regrets about it ending with a bit of drama and a bit of a mess? Yeah, maybe not at first, but I mean, it doesn't erase anything he did, you know? He was probably the point of reference for all those generations of Portuguese footballers You know, I always say that Portugal always produces wonderful footballers, but
he turned them into a trophy-winning team, which is a big difference But you know, you can't ignore the goals he scored. You ca n't ignore the fact that he's still playing in his forties. And to put it in context, if someone were to debut this year to equal him, they would still have to be playing in 2046 And that's, you know, it's something to think about, yes. Regarding the numbers, 146 international goals. Messi retired 20 years after him. Do you see anyone who can catch him Personally, I don't think so.
Um, but if you look at the list, you could say that Mbappé might potentially have a remote chance if he continued for another 10 or 12 years. Erling Haaland would probably be the favorite. If you look at his size, his presence, the numbers. goals in about 40 games, I think. Look, the numbers suggest that if Norway continues, you know, to rise and can continue to qualify for tournaments, you'd say Haaland would be the man you'd bet on if you had to Harry Kane has obviously just renewed his contract with Bayern Munich, fresh off
winning the Ballon d'Or. Does he have what it takes? Um, I mean, it's not impossible, but it 's very difficult. You know, you have to stay in shape, you have to make sure your standards are high, and you have to keep getting selected even though younger players come in and coaches may change. So it's probably not impossible, but I think it's asking too much and I'll probably have to play until I'm 40 too. In those years when you're nearing the end of your international career, do you wonder if you'll be able to make it to the next tournament? He just signed a new contract. Do you think Harry Kane is wondering if he'll make it and if there will be enough games for him to score the goals he needs?
I think it's important to say that at any age, everyone is different, everyone's body is unique, but for me, I just didn't think my body could make it to the next tournament. I had to start listening to my body, I had to respect Liverpool and that situation, you know, my loyalty to Liverpool. I had to prioritize my national game and I had to sacrifice England because my body was screaming at that moment, but everyone's body is different. As Lucy said, different coaches arrive, different styles; Things would have to go Harry Kane's way in the next six years, probably, for him to have even a minimal chance. So it's going to be difficult, but if anyone can, Harry, Mbappé and Haaland would be my favorites. Let me tell you something, there's still nothing
like the first time you see the pitch in any stadium when you come out, it's brilliant, isn't it? When you look at younger players, you look at the levels and figures that players like Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi have reached and then compare them to someone like Lamine Yamal, they would have to improve their numbers a lot to get close to them. Yes, they would have. I mean, the point is that longevity is the part, you know, like Steve said, of just going on and keeping up that scoring pace. It's fine to do it when you're a kid, but you don't know about injuries, you don't know anything about what might happen in terms of your lifestyle and career. So the longevity of continuing for years is simply very difficult to replicate, I think.
So, quickly, 146 goals, will we see anyone surpass that? Personally I don't think so, but I hope I'm wrong because that means we'll see even more of Haaland, more of Mbappé, and more of Lamine Yamal, whom I saw live a couple of nights ago. He's a phenomenal player too, but I think he'd have to become a number nine at some point in his career to achieve that kind of numbers.
