Cristiano Ronaldo has paid tribute to longtime rival Lionel Messi following the Argentine forward’s emotional farewell from international football.
Messi played his final match for Argentina on Tuesday, October 6, helping the team to a 3-0 victory over Benin at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.
The 39-year-old scored Argentina’s third goal from the penalty spot and provided two assists as he brought his 21-year international career to an emotional close. FIFA and the Argentine Football Association confirmed the match as Messi’s final appearance for the national team.
After the game, Messi reflected on his international career in an emotional message shared on Instagram.
Ronaldo responded to the post on Wednesday with a message praising Messi’s achievements with Argentina.
“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.”
The message came despite the intense rivalry between the two football icons, who spent more than 15 years competing for individual honours and major trophies while playing for different clubs in Europe.
Their relationship has also included public displays of mutual respect in recent years, with both players acknowledging each other’s achievements.
Messi’s final Argentina appearance was played in front of a packed Monumental stadium, where supporters gathered to celebrate the end of an era.
The Argentine captain finished his international career as the country’s all-time leading goalscorer, with 126 goals, while also winning the 2022 FIFA World Cup and Copa América titles in 2021 and 2024.
The farewell followed Messi’s decision to end his international career after Argentina’s 2026 World Cup campaign. His final match against Benin was organised as a farewell appearance before the national team supporters.
Ronaldo’s tribute adds to the wave of messages from across the football world celebrating Messi’s international career.
The Portuguese forward, who continues to represent Portugal, is also in the later stages of his own international career, making the latest exchange between the two stars another notable moment in their long-running football rivalry.
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