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The duo are still prolific in front of goal despite their age
Major League Soccer Golden Boot winner Christian Benteke has revealed his inspiration from Leonel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo and wants to prolong his playing career.
The former Aston Villa man who scored 23 goals for DC United-three more than Inter Miami's Messi said the duo have helped him look after his body after watching them for a long time.
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Ronaldo 39 and Messi 37 are still prolific in front of goal despite their age. Benteke, 33, who boasts 17 years of professional football including 280 Premier League appearances and 45 Belgium caps, said: "Messi and Ronaldo are four or five years older than me and they still play, so who are we not to push ourselves?," he told BBC Sport.
"It’s not luck. It’s hard work. They look after their bodies, which is something we can all do. We might not have their qualities or everything they have but as a high-elite athlete, we can all look after our bodies."
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Despite Benteke's efforts, DC United finished 10th in the Eastern Conference, failing to reach the playoffs. After featuring in two European championships, Benteke has not played for Belgium since 2022. He was not selected for Euro 2024 and although the next World Cup is being played in his current home, it feels unlikely he will be involved then either.
He makes it clear the lack of involvement is not of his making. "I am still playing in a very good league and I am still a professional so why should I retire from the national team?" he said. "I am not obsessed about it and I am not putting any type of pressure or focus on it."
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