Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have been told their decisions to join PSG and Manchester United were "not intelligent" as the pair both struggle this term.
The two men took on new challenges this summer as they attempted to retain their place at the top of the footballing landscape.
Messi's contract situation meant he was forced to leave Barcelona and he moved to France for nothing. Ronaldo meanwhile ended his three years in Juventus and returned to the Premier League.
Messi was expected to help PSG's charge for the Champions League but has only scored seven times in all competitions with the Parisians out of the tournament.
United meanwhile have declined massively from last season and they and Ronaldo could now miss out on the top four in the Premier League. Ronaldo's influence has also been cited as a negative by some due to the way the team have been forced to change their style.
Nicolas Anelka, formerly of Arsenal and Chelsea, believes the duo didn't choose wisely when they opted for their next steps. Messi and Ronaldo have 12 Ballon d'Ors between them but have a combined age of 71 as they enter the latter years of their careers.
"This is what happens to players who want to play longer," Anelka told RMC Sport . “Their careers are over and I think they must both be very happy with what they have achieved in the last 15 years. They were above the others and now it is normal for them to slow down.
"I was more surprised with Messi than with Ronaldo, I thought that Messi would turn around in France and Ronaldo would have more difficulties in England because, for me, the Premier League is the most demanding championship in the world.
"[They] were not intelligent. They should have thought of facing a less complicated challenge because you have to make the right decisions to finish at the top. There are players who don't hesitate to finish at 32, 33, 34 so as not to be criticised. I stopped at 36, but at 32 I went to China."
Messi is expected to remain at PSG beyond this season but has been linked with an MLS move before he retires. Ronaldo's situation at United could prove more complicated however, especially if they miss out on the Champions League. The club are looking to appoint a new permanent manager who will no doubt arrive with his own ideas and expectations.
Gary Neville told Sky Sports : “I’m unsure, it depends who the manager is and what the project is for the new manager. Does he want to build a young squad that’s athletic and progressive? Ronaldo can play in that – but if he wants to play every single week, which would seem to be the case, then it may be that the manager wants a fresh start."
