Under the blazing lights of the World Cup final, Madonna didn’t just perform – she rewrote the rules of ageing in public. Opening with “Music” and roaring across the pitch in a tiny car alongside Ronaldo and Ronaldinho, she moved with the same defiant swagger that made her a star in the 1980s. Viewers expected nostalgia; what they got was a masterclass in stamina, choreography and unapologetic presence from a 67-year-old who refuses to fade politely into legacy status.

Shakira’s return only deepened that shock. At 49, twisting and shaking through “Dai Dai” like 2010 never ended, she became living proof that longevity and relevance can coexist. Around them, a lineup worth staggering sums – Bieber, BTS, Burna Boy, Gustavo Dudamel – turned halftime into a billionaire’s playground. Yet the loudest reaction wasn’t about money. It was disbelief, almost awe, at two women who’ve outlasted trends, scandals and expectations, and still walk onstage like they own the world – because, for a few electric minutes, they do.