Sports · Full coverage

Why World Cup Stars Are Still Going Strong at 39 and 41

How 4 Israeli newsrooms covered this story — translated into English and compared side by side.

50% centerFirst reported by Srugim · 1 day ago
Center 2Right 2

What happened

Lionel Messi scored late against Austria at age 39, and the article says he is part of a broader 2026 World Cup trend: aging legends and young stars are thriving. Teams now use sports science and star-centered systems to keep players like Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, Vinicius Junior and Lamine Yamal at peak level.

  • 01Messi scored a late winner against Austria at age 39 in exhausting heat.
  • 02Ronaldo, Mbappe, Haaland, Kane, Vinicius and Yamal are all excelling.
  • 03Teams now build systems around stars instead of demanding they do everything.
  • 04France, Portugal, England, Norway, Brazil and Spain are each managing their stars differently.
  • 05Haaland and Mbappe meet Friday at 22:00 in a key group match.

Summary translated & synthesized from the sources below by baba. Read each original for the full report.

In this story
People
Cristiano RonaldoKylian MbappéHarry Kane

Full coverage · 4 outlets

The same event, reported separately by each newsroom. Open a few to compare what each emphasizes — and what they leave out.

YnetCenter · Hebrew21 hours ago
Why World Cup Stars Are Still Going Strong at 39 and 41
Now 14Right · Hebrew1 day ago
At 39, Messi Is Still Chasing Rare Records in a Historic World Cup Run
WallaCenter · Hebrew1 day ago
Messi Celebrates 39 With Video Showing Impressive Fitness at Argentina Camp
SrugimRight · Hebrew1 day ago
Lionel Messi at 39: Ten facts about a record-breaking career

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