Reported by Ariajegbe Sylvia Esezobor
Cristiano Ronaldo has offered a public message of respect to longtime rival Lionel Messi following the Argentine’s emotional farewell from international football, setting aside more than 15 years of on-pitch competition to honour a career that both men know will never be repeated.
Messi played his final match for Argentina on Tuesday night, scoring once and providing two assists in a 3-0 friendly victory over Benin at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires. The 39-year-old, widely regarded as one of the greatest players in football history, described the occasion as “the saddest day of my career” after more than two decades representing his country. In a comment on Messi’s Instagram post marking the end of his international journey on Wednesday, Ronaldo wrote: “Leo, so many years defending your country and a story that will live on forever. You have all my respect for everything you’ve achieved with Argentina. A hug”.
Ronaldo’s words were widely reported on Wednesday, including by Spanish newspaper Marca, which noted that mutual respect has long existed between the two icons despite their intense on-pitch rivalry. The Portuguese star, now 41 and playing for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, has frequently exchanged words of admiration with Messi in recent years. In August 2026, he sent a message of support after the death of Messi’s father, writing, “Huge hug to you and your loved ones in this difficult moment, Leo. Stay strong”.
Messi’s farewell match was a carefully orchestrated celebration of a career that has defined an era of football. He played the full 90 minutes in his 208th cap, set up Nicolás Otamendi from a corner and Nicolás Paz for the second goal, then scored his 126th Argentina goal from the penalty spot. After the final whistle, he told the crowd he leaves grateful, proud and at peace, and that he has nothing left to do but thank the shirt. For 20 years, even through the worst moments, he said he never stopped fighting. He also said the 2026 World Cup had taken what was left. Argentina reached the final and lost to Spain; nothing strange happened, and the time had come to stop.
Ronaldo’s tribute sits against a very different week of his own. Hours earlier, he had published a statement of nearly 2,000 words on leaving Portugal’s camp, accusing head coach Jorge Jesus of twice breaking his word and apologising for his walkout while insisting he is not retiring from international football. The contrast between the two farewells has been noted across the football world, with former England striker Gary Lineker saying Messi’s farewell was “very moving” and that “Cristiano deserves the same”.
The football world’s response to Messi’s retirement has been global and emotional. Neymar, who played alongside Messi at Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, wrote on Instagram: “It is not only Argentina that thanks you; the world thanks you for everything you have done for football. Thank you for making me love football even more. It was an honour for me to have played against you and even more so to make history alongside you”. Ronaldinho, who was at Barcelona when Messi first arrived, said: “What a pleasure and what joy to have been part of your story from the very first day, brother! You made us smile and enjoy football so much! Your name is etched in the history of your country, and of the whole world”. Rodrigo De Paul, Messi’s teammate and close friend, said the captain “made me grow not only as a footballer, but also as a person. I became a better person, a better human being, a better athlete, a better father, and a better friend”.
Messi announced his retirement from the Argentina national team in late August, shortly after the side’s 2026 World Cup final defeat to Spain. He cited the emotional and physical toll of the tournament, which coincided with the illness and subsequent death of his father, Jorge Messi, as factors in his decision. He finished his international career with a record 208 appearances and 126 goals for Argentina, having captained the team to the 2022 World Cup title as well as Copa América successes.
For Ronaldo, the tribute represents a recognition that the rivalry that defined an era of football is now entering its final chapter. Both players are in the later stages of their careers, Messi with Inter Miami and Ronaldo with Al-Nassr. Their exchanges over the years have ranged from competitive tension to moments of genuine warmth, and the latest message from Ronaldo is consistent with a pattern of mutual respect that has become more visible as their careers have wound down. The two men will forever be linked in football history, their names inseparable from the debate over who was the greatest of their generation. But on Wednesday, as Messi closed one chapter of his life and Ronaldo prepared for the next stage of his own, the Portuguese star chose to offer respect rather than rivalry. As he put it, Messi’s story will live on forever, and he has all his respect for everything he achieved with Argentina.
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