Cristiano Ronaldo set aside one of football's longest-running rivalries to pay tribute to Lionel Messi after the Argentine great confirmed his retirement from international football. The Portugal captain's message came in response to Messi's emotional Instagram post, in which the 39-year-old said he already missed representing his country.
Messi signed off in style on Tuesday, scoring once and setting up two goals as Argentina beat Benin 3-0 in a friendly watched by more than 85,000 fans at Buenos Aires' Monumental Stadium. The occasion turned into a celebration of a 21-year international career that included the 2022 World Cup, Copa America titles in 2021 and 2024, and the 2022 Finalissima.
In a lengthy Instagram post, Messi reflected on the journey. "Yesterday was my last game, and I already miss wearing the blue and white. I know I'm making the right decision," he wrote. "It's been an incredible journey, full of joy and also some sadness, but I know for sure that every step I took was worth it."
He also paid tribute to Diego Maradona, writing, "I don't want to forget Diego, who put our country where it deserved to be and who, as I always say, I know helped us both by being here with us and also from heaven, with every step we took." Messi thanked the clubs he played for "for always respecting my feelings and allowing me to dedicate myself to my country whenever it was time to put on the national team jersey," before adding, "I am grateful. I love you all very much; I'm going to miss you, and I will always thank you for having been by our side, by my side."
Ronaldo's Response
Ronaldo, who has spent much of his career being compared with Messi as the standout player of his generation, was among those who responded publicly to the post. "Leo, after so many years of defending your country, you've made history that will last forever. I have the utmost respect for what you've accomplished with Argentina. A hug," Ronaldo wrote.
The gesture arrives at an otherwise turbulent moment for the Portugal captain, who is currently embroiled in a dispute with national team coach Jorge Jesus following his abrupt departure from Portugal's training camp.
