FIFA World Cup 2026 :Canada/Mexico/United States: Discussion Thread

[Hirose UK]

~snip~

I'm sure the Argentine and Portuguese national team coaches would still bring Messi and Ronaldo if they didn't retire or get injured. Both goats have extraordinary appeal for the world cup. These two players also have a big influence on the mentality of the young players in their squad. They have a role more than just players. I think I'll be disappointed if one of them doesn't get called up. Unless Messi or Ronaldo decides to retire before the World Cup. The world cup is the birthplace of new legends. But I think the world cup is the right place if the two goats decide to retire.

But Argentina coach previously stated that if Messi wants to be able to play in the 2026 World Cup then he must be able to lead Argentina to win the 2024 Copa America.
This is statement made by Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni to Messi and many people already know this because the statement came out several months ago.
It just that looking at the Copa America, Argentina is national team that has the potential to win it now and it is certain that Messi might be able to complete the challenge that has been given by Lionel Scaloni.
Moreover, Messi can no longer play well and Messi has shown really significant decline in performance, even though he helped Argentina win the Copa America and was included in Argentina squad for the 2026 World Cup, I sure many will be on the bench.

Lionel Messi is yet to retire from international football and for a footballer of his hallowed status, he remains the captain of the Argentina national team until whenever he deems it fit to leave the national team of his beloved country. Because of the sacrifices Lionel Messi have made for the national team and and how dedicated he was to make sure the country win the last edition of the FIFA World Cup, there are privileges that he'll keep enjoying regardless the number of games he plays with the Argentina national team.
The 2026 Copa America will be played in the summer of which Lionel Messi is expected to play alongside his Argentina teammates but even if he fails to make it to the tournament, that wouldn't make the national team coach to drop him from his next World Cup squad if Messi stays fit before the next edition of the FIFA World Cup. He's earned that right and there's nothing the national team coach can do about it

It seems like you are too sure and really believe in Messi performance, but that natural because so far it can be acknowledged that he is great player and many people really make Messi their own admiration for the figure of football player they idolize.
Apart from that, only Messi, who for several years has always been competitor for Ronaldo, who we consider to be the best player of all time in his era, but sorry, I didn't think about Messi that far.
Maybe he will still be core player for Argentina if he really takes part in strengthening Argentina for the 2026 World Cup, but I not sure that in that competition Messi will still be able to play well according to exexpectations.
For Argentina itself is certain that they will get tickets for the 2026 World Cup competition or it could be said that Argentina has guarantee of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.

[Distraction]

Messi is still maintaining his style. He is aging maybe but his class is permanent.    He is nearly 37 years old now. I hope we watch him play until at least being 40 years old. I'm not watching MLS matches live truthfully.

The reason why I hope him to play that long before retirement is to see him as long as in national tournaments. I have a bad feeling like the World Cup 2026 will be his last national tournament and he will retire after.

I wonder which one between Ronaldo and Messi will retire earlier.    The straightforward logic says Ronaldo would because of being 39. But he still has a really solid physique and energy.

[criptoevangelista]

Messi is still maintaining his style. He is aging maybe but his class is permanent.    He is nearly 37 years old now. I hope we watch him play until at least being 40 years old. I'm not watching MLS matches live truthfully.

The reason why I hope him to play that long before retirement is to see him as long as in national tournaments. I have a bad feeling like the World Cup 2026 will be his last national tournament and he will retire after.

I wonder which one between Ronaldo and Messi will retire earlier.    The straightforward logic says Ronaldo would because of being 39. But he still has a really solid physique and energy.

I believe that Messi will retire before Cristiano Ronaldo... Both are already showing signs that they will not play any longer, perhaps the World Cup will be the farewell for one of them... They are playing in lower leagues, Messi plays in a league which only serves to make money... Anyway... these are their last acts. After all, if they decide to leave the teams they currently play for, which big competitive club would want to sign them? I think none....

[Sithara007]

I believe that Messi will retire before Cristiano Ronaldo... Both are already showing signs that they will not play any longer, perhaps the World Cup will be the farewell for one of them... They are playing in lower leagues, Messi plays in a league which only serves to make money... Anyway... these are their last acts. After all, if they decide to leave the teams they currently play for, which big competitive club would want to sign them? I think none....

I don't think that there is much chance of Messi taking part as a player in the 2026 World Cup. He has achieved all that he wanted, and he doesn't have anything to gain. On the other hand, Cristiano Ronaldo in all probability will be a part of the Portuguese squad. He has never lifted the world cup, and also he wants to play along with his son (Cristiano Ronaldo Jr., who is 13 years old at this point). By 2026, his son will be 16 years old and there is a remote chance that both will be playing in the same team.

[Palakka]

Messi is still maintaining his style. He is aging maybe but his class is permanent.    He is nearly 37 years old now. I hope we watch him play until at least being 40 years old. I'm not watching MLS matches live truthfully.

The reason why I hope him to play that long before retirement is to see him as long as in national tournaments. I have a bad feeling like the World Cup 2026 will be his last national tournament and he will retire after.

I wonder which one between Ronaldo and Messi will retire earlier.    The straightforward logic says Ronaldo would because of being 39. But he still has a really solid physique and energy.

Both of the world's best players have entered an age that is no longer productive in playing football, but so far they have been able to show us the quality, physical endurance and mentality they have not faded at all as they get older, Ronaldo is still able to show his quality as a goalscorer in the Arab League, as well as Messi who still has the speed and skill to destroy every opponent Their current MLS league opponents, both players will probably continue to prove themselves at the 2026 World Cup, so I don't think they will retire too soon to be sure of a place in their respective national squads.

The 2026 World Cup looks like it will indeed be their last international competition later, and honestly I still want to see their rivalry will continue in the world cup, for now of course they no longer have the Performance of the previous as 5 years  but surely they will still be a mainstay and have a very crucial role in leading their national team to get the world cup championship, before maybe they will decide Retirement due to their physical and age that is no longer supportive.

[FanEagle]

It seems like you are too sure and really believe in Messi performance, but that natural because so far it can be acknowledged that he is great player and many people really make Messi their own admiration for the figure of football player they idolize.
Apart from that, only Messi, who for several years has always been competitor for Ronaldo, who we consider to be the best player of all time in his era, but sorry, I didn't think about Messi that far.
Maybe he will still be core player for Argentina if he really takes part in strengthening Argentina for the 2026 World Cup, but I not sure that in that competition Messi will still be able to play well according to exexpectations.
For Argentina itself is certain that they will get tickets for the 2026 World Cup competition or it could be said that Argentina has guarantee of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.

I am not entirely sure like that, because in 2026 he will be quite old, not that he wouldn't be good, but he would be too old. On top of that, he is not playing in anywhere competitive anymore, both Ronaldo and Messi decided to go to leagues that are so much worse than the European leagues, which means that they are playing against teams that are much weaker, and that would make them go worse.

When you are playing against much better opponents, you try to be better, you strive to be greater, but when you are "good enough", then you stop working too hard on your craft. This is why I believe that if Messi keeps doing this for 2 more seasons, then we are going to see him both older, and less caring and that would not be a smart way to go.

[Leviathan.007]

Messi is still maintaining his style. He is aging maybe but his class is permanent.    He is nearly 37 years old now. I hope we watch him play until at least being 40 years old. I'm not watching MLS matches live truthfully.

The reason why I hope him to play that long before retirement is to see him as long as in national tournaments. I have a bad feeling like the World Cup 2026 will be his last national tournament and he will retire after.

I wonder which one between Ronaldo and Messi will retire earlier.    The straightforward logic says Ronaldo would because of being 39. But he still has a really solid physique and energy.

I believe that Messi will retire before Cristiano Ronaldo... Both are already showing signs that they will not play any longer, perhaps the World Cup will be the farewell for one of them... They are playing in lower leagues, Messi plays in a league which only serves to make money... Anyway... these are their last acts. After all, if they decide to leave the teams they currently play for, which big competitive club would want to sign them? I think none....

I'm sure that we are going to see Messi in the 2026 World Cup because of his reputation in his country and because of the good performance he had in the Qatar World Cup which made Argentina to win the World Cup.
Other than this, Scaloni, the coach of Argentina said he would try to use Messi in the 2026 World Cup when they won the the Qatar World Cup.
However, since he is going to get even older I think Messi's playing in the World Cup will destroy his reputation because we can't see good performance from this player because of his age.

[criptoevangelista]

Messi is still maintaining his style. He is aging maybe but his class is permanent.    He is nearly 37 years old now. I hope we watch him play until at least being 40 years old. I'm not watching MLS matches live truthfully.

The reason why I hope him to play that long before retirement is to see him as long as in national tournaments. I have a bad feeling like the World Cup 2026 will be his last national tournament and he will retire after.

I wonder which one between Ronaldo and Messi will retire earlier.    The straightforward logic says Ronaldo would because of being 39. But he still has a really solid physique and energy.

I believe that Messi will retire before Cristiano Ronaldo... Both are already showing signs that they will not play any longer, perhaps the World Cup will be the farewell for one of them... They are playing in lower leagues, Messi plays in a league which only serves to make money... Anyway... these are their last acts. After all, if they decide to leave the teams they currently play for, which big competitive club would want to sign them? I think none....

I'm sure that we are going to see Messi in the 2026 World Cup because of his reputation in his country and because of the good performance he had in the Qatar World Cup which made Argentina to win the World Cup.
Other than this, Scaloni, the coach of Argentina said he would try to use Messi in the 2026 World Cup when they won the the Qatar World Cup.
However, since he is going to get even older I think Messi's playing in the World Cup will destroy his reputation because we can't see good performance from this player because of his age.

Both Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, after this World Cup, if they want to continue their careers as professional players, will have to review their positioning on the field, perhaps act more as a finishing center forward... mobility and agility deteriorate with age, so They have to use a little more positioning and finish plays towards the goal.

If they continue playing like they have throughout their careers, they will be easy targets for defenders.

[Patrol69]

Messi is still maintaining his style. He is aging maybe but his class is permanent.    He is nearly 37 years old now. I hope we watch him play until at least being 40 years old. I'm not watching MLS matches live truthfully.

The reason why I hope him to play that long before retirement is to see him as long as in national tournaments. I have a bad feeling like the World Cup 2026 will be his last national tournament and he will retire after.

I wonder which one between Ronaldo and Messi will retire earlier.    The straightforward logic says Ronaldo would because of being 39. But he still has a really solid physique and energy.

I believe that Messi will retire before Cristiano Ronaldo... Both are already showing signs that they will not play any longer, perhaps the World Cup will be the farewell for one of them... They are playing in lower leagues, Messi plays in a league which only serves to make money... Anyway... these are their last acts. After all, if they decide to leave the teams they currently play for, which big competitive club would want to sign them? I think none....

.If either Lionel Messi or Ronaldo retires before the next World Cup, rest assured that the decision to retire will come from Lionel Messi. Ronaldo has made it clear that he will play in the 2026 World Cup if the team wants him, but there is no such guarantee for Messi. On the contrary, when Messi was asked about this, he said that time will tell, that is, the Copa America may come after the Copa America. Lionel Messi may announce his retirement. Lionel Messi has done quite well for clubs including Argentina in his long career and in recent times he has achieved everything for the team and he has nothing left to achieve. As he has nothing left to achieve for the team, it is only a matter of time before he decides to retire.

[Sithara007]

Both Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, after this World Cup, if they want to continue their careers as professional players, will have to review their positioning on the field, perhaps act more as a finishing center forward... mobility and agility deteriorate with age, so They have to use a little more positioning and finish plays towards the goal.

If they continue playing like they have throughout their careers, they will be easy targets for defenders.

At least for Cristiano Ronaldo, a position in the squad is not under threat at this moment. He is in good form, as we have seen during this season of the Saudi Pro League. Al-Nassr is at second position right now, and all set to qualify for the AFC Champions League Elite league. Cristiano Ronaldo is the top-scorer with 32 goals so far, and he is far ahead of Aleksandar Mitrović and Abderrazak Hamdallah. It can't get any better than this. He is scoring at an average of around 2 goals per match. 

[Tony116]

Both Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, after this World Cup, if they want to continue their careers as professional players, will have to review their positioning on the field, perhaps act more as a finishing center forward... mobility and agility deteriorate with age, so They have to use a little more positioning and finish plays towards the goal.

If they continue playing like they have throughout their careers, they will be easy targets for defenders.

At least for Cristiano Ronaldo, a position in the squad is not under threat at this moment. He is in good form, as we have seen during this season of the Saudi Pro League. Al-Nassr is at second position right now, and all set to qualify for the AFC Champions League Elite league. Cristiano Ronaldo is the top-scorer with 32 goals so far, and he is far ahead of Aleksandar Mitrović and Abderrazak Hamdallah. It can't get any better than this. He is scoring at an average of around 2 goals per match. 

Yes, his position in the Saudi pro league club is definitely not under any kind of threat. if we talk about Portugal, I also have to say that I do not think they have actually been able to find any good replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo. But I highly doubt that he will have a great impact on the next World Cup that Portugal is going to play. I would actually think that Cristiano Ronaldo will become a coach after his professional career as a footballer is over.

maybe he will be able to take Portugal to the glory of the World Cup as a coach. Because if we talk about Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as players, I think the era of both of them being the best in the world and fighting with each other for the best individual trophies and success is definitely over. for a certain generation, they are going to remain the best in the world.

[Leviathan.007]

Both Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, after this World Cup, if they want to continue their careers as professional players, will have to review their positioning on the field, perhaps act more as a finishing center forward... mobility and agility deteriorate with age, so They have to use a little more positioning and finish plays towards the goal.

If they continue playing like they have throughout their careers, they will be easy targets for defenders.

At least for Cristiano Ronaldo, a position in the squad is not under threat at this moment. He is in good form, as we have seen during this season of the Saudi Pro League. Al-Nassr is at second position right now, and all set to qualify for the AFC Champions League Elite league. Cristiano Ronaldo is the top-scorer with 32 goals so far, and he is far ahead of Aleksandar Mitrović and Abderrazak Hamdallah. It can't get any better than this. He is scoring at an average of around 2 goals per match. 

No matter if Ronaldo is the top scorer in the Saudi League. Don't forget that he is playing in the AFC not in the top European teams and he is not playing against stronger teams and there are fewer superstar players playing in their good form.
That's why you can't say Ronaldo had a perfect performance in the Saudi League because of him being the top scorer and that's why Ronaldo can play in the 2026 World Cup.
Even when he was young and played in the Qatar World Cup he could not help his team too much.
Other than this, we are talking about the next two years and he will even get older in 2026.

[alegotardo]

No matter if Ronaldo is the top scorer in the Saudi League. Don't forget that he is playing in the AFC not in the top European teams and he is not playing against stronger teams and there are fewer superstar players playing in their good form.
That's why you can't say Ronaldo had a perfect performance in the Saudi League because of him being the top scorer and that's why Ronaldo can play in the 2026 World Cup.
Even when he was young and played in the Qatar World Cup he could not help his team too much.
Other than this, we are talking about the next two years and he will even get older in 2026.

I still have my doubts whether Cristiano Ronaldo will really play in the 2026 World Cup.
I remember a statement he made a while ago after Al-Nassr's victory over Damac... he said (without much enthusiasm) that he would continue playing this year and next year, but he didn't guarantee anything about their participation in the world cup.
Ronaldo is a player who knows and respects the limits of his body very well, who already has 38 years of life on this earth, and I believe that perhaps he wants to end his career being well remembered as a player who won many titles in Europe and also who scored many goals in Saudi Arabia.
Perhaps it would be better for him to end his career like this than if he is remembered for a poor performance in the 2026 World Cup.

I could be wrong, in fact I would like to see Cristiano Ronaldo play in another World Cup, but I really believe that this is unlikely.

[Hirose UK]

It seems like you are too sure and really believe in Messi performance, but that natural because so far it can be acknowledged that he is great player and many people really make Messi their own admiration for the figure of football player they idolize.
Apart from that, only Messi, who for several years has always been competitor for Ronaldo, who we consider to be the best player of all time in his era, but sorry, I didn't think about Messi that far.
Maybe he will still be core player for Argentina if he really takes part in strengthening Argentina for the 2026 World Cup, but I not sure that in that competition Messi will still be able to play well according to exexpectations.
For Argentina itself is certain that they will get tickets for the 2026 World Cup competition or it could be said that Argentina has guarantee of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.

I am not entirely sure like that, because in 2026 he will be quite old, not that he wouldn't be good, but he would be too old. On top of that, he is not playing in anywhere competitive anymore, both Ronaldo and Messi decided to go to leagues that are so much worse than the European leagues, which means that they are playing against teams that are much weaker, and that would make them go worse.

When you are playing against much better opponents, you try to be better, you strive to be greater, but when you are "good enough", then you stop working too hard on your craft. This is why I believe that if Messi keeps doing this for 2 more seasons, then we are going to see him both older, and less caring and that would not be a smart way to go.

For Messi, I don't know what he will do and what it will be like when Argentina takes part in the 2026 World Cup competition, but what is clear is that I won't have any hopes for Messi considering that he is not player that I really idolize.
But for Ronaldo there is still the possibility of participating in the 2026 World Cup with Portugal and if he plays in small team, I don't think so because his mother had asked Ronaldo to return to defend one of the teams from Portugal, namely Sporting, this will be the final days of retirement for Ronaldo.

Yes, 2026 means there are still 2 season ahead and of course there will be many unexpected things happening later, but they are players who are considered great and important for their country so it will still be possible to use them.
I know that their performance will definitely experience very significant decline and in the future they will be left behind by the young players, perhaps their playing style is just running forward looking for position and waiting for pass to come in to be converted into goal.

[Webetcoins]

For Messi, I don't know what he will do and what it will be like when Argentina takes part in the 2026 World Cup competition, but what is clear is that I won't have any hopes for Messi considering that he is not player that I really idolize.
But for Ronaldo there is still the possibility of participating in the 2026 World Cup with Portugal and if he plays in small team, I don't think so because his mother had asked Ronaldo to return to defend one of the teams from Portugal, namely Sporting, this will be the final days of retirement for Ronaldo.

Yes, 2026 means there are still 2 season ahead and of course there will be many unexpected things happening later, but they are players who are considered great and important for their country so it will still be possible to use them.
I know that their performance will definitely experience very significant decline and in the future they will be left behind by the young players, perhaps their playing style is just running forward looking for position and waiting for pass to come in to be converted into goal.

Usually players career depend on his fitness and performance with right now Lionel Messi is doing impressive work in Inter Miami, and he is going to stay here until end of the 2025 season after this intention is clear because most chances he will stay in game until few more years as he wants to play again for his boyhood club Newell's Old Boys so most chances if he stays fit and his performance also keep level then we will have him in next world cup which could be good for his team.

In recent time we have too much talk about two legendary players career with both are going to play until 2026 world cup after this thing could be not clear because here age factor is also having big impact with performance level is also important because we have tough competition in Argentinian national team and many youngsters are ready to give their best.

[fullhdpixel]

At least for Cristiano Ronaldo, a position in the squad is not under threat at this moment. He is in good form, as we have seen during this season of the Saudi Pro League. Al-Nassr is at second position right now, and all set to qualify for the AFC Champions League Elite league. Cristiano Ronaldo is the top-scorer with 32 goals so far, and he is far ahead of Aleksandar Mitrović and Abderrazak Hamdallah. It can't get any better than this. He is scoring at an average of around 2 goals per match. 

Yes, his position in the Saudi pro league club is definitely not under any kind of threat. if we talk about Portugal, I also have to say that I do not think they have actually been able to find any good replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo. But I highly doubt that he will have a great impact on the next World Cup that Portugal is going to play. I would actually think that Cristiano Ronaldo will become a coach after his professional career as a footballer is over.

maybe he will be able to take Portugal to the glory of the World Cup as a coach. Because if we talk about Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as players, I think the era of both of them being the best in the world and fighting with each other for the best individual trophies and success is definitely over. for a certain generation, they are going to remain the best in the world.

With the on-going performance of the Cristiano Ronaldo things are clearly indicating he is going to stay here as long as he can with his contract is going to end in June 2025, but he is now trying to extend this contract until June 2027 even we have nothing about this until now but as he is playing and having performance Al Nassr is going to extend his contract because they need him and in this league he can do again this same performance for coming years.

With this he can participate into 2026 world cup as player with after this nothing is clear but what he can do for the Portugal in World Cup this is also not clear because things are never been easy to win big trophies with they need to have start done from their domestic system which give them quality players, but we can expect good future of this legendary player in soccer.

[Distraction]

I believe that Messi will retire before Cristiano Ronaldo... Both are already showing signs that they will not play any longer, perhaps the World Cup will be the farewell for one of them... They are playing in lower leagues, Messi plays in a league which only serves to make money... Anyway... these are their last acts. After all, if they decide to leave the teams they currently play for, which big competitive club would want to sign them? I think none....

They are just playing for money from now on and it is normal though. They say Messi rejected a much bigger offer from Saudi Arabia. But they are missing a point, Messi is like owning the MLS now. He has even a share at Inter Miami.   

Anyways when it comes to your question the only way one of Messi and Ronaldo to return to Europe would be their jubilees. I don't know about Ronaldo for now. I have always thought Messi would think of doing so at Barcelona before his retirement.

I think Messi will do one of these:

• He will end his career at Barcelona
• Or he will return to his first team which is Newell's Old Boys

[criptoevangelista]

I believe that Messi will retire before Cristiano Ronaldo... Both are already showing signs that they will not play any longer, perhaps the World Cup will be the farewell for one of them... They are playing in lower leagues, Messi plays in a league which only serves to make money... Anyway... these are their last acts. After all, if they decide to leave the teams they currently play for, which big competitive club would want to sign them? I think none....

They are just playing for money from now on and it is normal though. They say Messi rejected a much bigger offer from Saudi Arabia. But they are missing a point, Messi is like owning the MLS now. He has even a share at Inter Miami.    

Anyways when it comes to your question the only way one of Messi and Ronaldo to return to Europe would be their jubilees. I don't know about Ronaldo for now. I have always thought Messi would think of doing so at Barcelona before his retirement.

I think Messi will do one of these:

• He will end his career at Barcelona
• Or he will return to his first team which is Newell's Old Boys

Regarding the proposal to play in Saudi, I think he really preferred to go to the USA because the culture is closer to what he experienced throughout his life, a radical change of culture at this point in his life would probably not be a good cost benefit for him.

Messi may even be able to play at Barcelona, as a farewell season, just like Daniel Alves did when he was close to 40... I think it is very difficult for him to go and play in Argentina, mainly due to the football structure, he will certainly prioritize a country where he lives and already knows basically everything (Spain).

[Sithara007]

Regarding the proposal to play in Saudi, I think he really preferred to go to the USA because the culture is closer to what he experienced throughout his life, a radical change of culture at this point in his life would probably not be a good cost benefit for him.

Messi may even be able to play at Barcelona, as a farewell season, just like Daniel Alves did when he was close to 40... I think it is very difficult for him to go and play in Argentina, mainly due to the football structure, he will certainly prioritize a country where he lives and already knows basically everything (Spain).

From what I heard, Messi rejected the Saudi offer due to opposition from his wife (Antonella Roccuzzo). She was not happy about moving to a country where women are supposed to wear the abaya while going out. Anyway, he got a very good deal from Major League Soccer (MLS). On the other hand, Ronaldo made maximum use of his opportunity. Not only he benefitted monetarily, he is also performing exceptionally for his new club (Al Nassr). So far this season, Ronaldo is the top scorer in the Saudi Pro League. 

[Bobrox]

From what I heard, Messi rejected the Saudi offer due to opposition from his wife (Antonella Roccuzzo). She was not happy about moving to a country where women are supposed to wear the abaya while going out. Anyway, he got a very good deal from Major League Soccer (MLS). On the other hand, Ronaldo made maximum use of his opportunity. Not only he benefitted monetarily, he is also performing exceptionally for his new club (Al Nassr). So far this season, Ronaldo is the top scorer in the Saudi Pro League. 

Saudi Arabia atmosphere and culture vey difference such as usually for European players or their family, but I don't think its an acceptable reason behind Cristiano Ronaldo and some top or European players adapt well how difference culture in Saudi Arabia and Ronaldo have been three season there without any problem yet.
I think Lionel Messi accepted MLS League team offer behind more interested offering than Saudi Arabia club and he won't get more compete with Cristiano Ronaldo behind both players still be more excited rivalry right now. Keep respect between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo decision although playing with difference competition but has good rumor with Inter Miami owner David Bekham has dreaming to sign Ronaldo and joining Inter Miami after his contract over.