Lionel Messi’s farewell from international football has prompted a heartfelt tribute from one of his greatest career rivals, Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Portugal captain responded to Messi’s farewell post on Instagram on Wednesday, a day after the Argentine superstar played his final match for the national team. Ronaldo praised Messi’s extraordinary contribution to Argentina and said the legacy he built over many years would endure.
“Leo, so many years defending your country and a story that will remain forever. All my respect for what you have achieved with Argentina. A hug,” Ronaldo wrote in a comment on Messi’s post.
The message drew widespread attention because of the long-standing rivalry between the two football icons. For more than a decade, Messi and Ronaldo were at the centre of comparisons over individual honours, goals and achievements, particularly during their years competing in Spain with Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Their relationship, however, has generally remained respectful away from the pitch. Ronaldo’s latest message offered another public acknowledgement of Messi’s achievements and his importance to Argentina.
Messi ended his international career in front of more than 85,000 supporters at Buenos Aires’ Estadio Monumental, helping Argentina beat Benin 3-0. He scored once and contributed two assists in his final appearance for the national team.
The 39-year-old leaves Argentina as the country’s record international appearance holder and top scorer, with 208 caps and 126 goals. His major achievements with the national team include the 2022 World Cup, Copa América titles in 2021 and 2024, and the 2022 Finalissima.
In his farewell message, Messi reflected on his long journey with Argentina and said he already missed wearing the national team shirt. He also thanked his family, teammates, coaches, supporters and others who had supported him throughout his international career.
Ronaldo’s brief but emotional tribute added another memorable moment to a rivalry that has defined an era of world football. While the competition between the two stars produced countless battles on the field, their latest exchange highlighted the mutual recognition surrounding their remarkable careers.
