Messi’s Retirement: Ex-FCTA Spokesman Urges FIFA To Introduce Over-40 World Cup

A former spokesman of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Nosike Ogbuenyi, has called on the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) to introduce an Over-40 World Cup to enable retired football stars to continue showcasing their talents on the global stage.

Ogbuenyi, an Assistant Editor with Premium Times, made the proposal in a submission to FIFA through the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) secretariat in Abuja on Thursday.

He said the proposed competition, open to players aged between 40 and 65, would give football fans the opportunity to continue watching some of the game’s greatest players long after their retirement from professional and senior international football.

The proposal comes amid discussions about the careers and legacies of legendary footballers, including Argentina’s Lionel Messi, whose retirement from international football Ogbuenyi cited as a motivation for submitting the idea.

According to him, an Over-40 World Cup would allow football icons to remain visible, entertain supporters and contribute to the development of the game beyond their active careers.

“Here in Nigeria, we have seen our most talented and best of all times retire and become less visible publicly. We, the football fans, find it difficult to keep track of our legends and stars like Jay Jay Okocha, Kanu Nwankwo, Victor Ikpeba, Emmanuel Amunike, Obafemi Martins, Vincent Enyeama and John Obi Mikel,” he said.

Beyond Nigeria, Ogbuenyi listed several former and ageing international stars whose continued involvement in competitive football, he argued, would attract global interest.

They include Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Angel Di Maria, David Beckham, Andrés Iniesta, Sergio Ramos, Xavi, Zlatan Ibrahimović, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo de Lima, Roberto Carlos, Didier Drogba, Samuel Eto’o, Zinedine Zidane, Thierry Henry and Keisuke Honda.

He also named former Germany goalkeeper Oliver Kahn, Miroslav Klose, Lothar Matthäus and Manuel Neuer among players whose careers have helped shape the modern game.

Ogbuenyi said the competition could promote fitness among older players, provide them with additional income and keep them in the public eye after their retirement from top-level football.

He added that it could serve as a platform for former internationals to mentor younger players and remain connected to football development in their countries.

The proposed tournament, he said, would also give active professionals a clearer pathway beyond the demanding schedules of youth and senior football.

Another potential benefit, according to Ogbuenyi, is that the competition could help discourage age cheating in youth football by giving players another age category to aspire to later in their careers.

On eligibility, he proposed that participants must be aged between 40 and 65 and must have represented their countries at senior international level.

He further suggested that players should retire from senior international football before becoming eligible to represent their countries in the veterans’ competition.

Ogbuenyi believes the tournament could also prove financially viable for FIFA, with broadcasting rights, sponsorships and corporate partnerships providing revenue.

He argued that the opportunity to watch celebrated footballers compete again could attract substantial interest from supporters and broadcasters around the world.

Explaining why he chose the present moment to submit the proposal, Ogbuenyi said Messi’s retirement had renewed his interest in finding ways to extend the global visibility of football legends.

“I first started nursing this idea when Jay Jay Okocha, Nigeria’s most adored football prodigy, retired about 15 years ago. But I had to wait for this moment of Messi’s retirement to submit the proposal because of the anticipated global momentum,” he said.

He added that he had no personal interest in the proposal beyond his desire to see football continue to entertain supporters.

“I am not making any claims for bringing up this idea and putting it across through this proposal to FIFA. I am just writing as a football fan who wants the world to be happier through more football games entertainment,” he said.

Ogbuenyi expressed confidence that FIFA would consider the proposal, which he believes could provide another avenue for celebrating the game’s past and present stars.

However, the proposed Over-40 World Cup remains an idea submitted for consideration, with no approval or implementation announced by FIFA.