Well... if it wasn't about the money, then they would have stayed in European leagues rather than moving to Al Nasser and Inter Miami. I appreciate the fact that they are skipping some of the club matches to represent their own countries during the world cup qualifiers. But then, this is something everyone would do, provided they want to play in the next world cup. These two players are trying to balance the monetary aspect of their career with the national duty and for now, I have to say that it is working pretty well for them as well as for the national team.
No you now took my post out of context. My post was a response to someone saying that the fact that they are playing at all right now shows that it's only about the money and not with the goal to participate at the World Cup 2026, and I said that this is only part of the story as I believe if both are fit they are definitely aiming at participating.
Really, keep in mind guys that there is also a gigantic PR machinery involved when it comes to Messi and Ronaldo. It doesn't even matter whether they play or are sitting on the bench most of the time, but the Asian market is crazy about these two players. All the broadcasters around the world and the sponsors of Messi and Ronaldo will beg those two to participate at the World Cup so the message can be spread around the world that for a very last time everyone has the final chance to see Messi compete against Ronaldo. I think that alone will lead to both participating, IF both are fit enough.