Cristiano Ronaldo has paid an emotional tribute to Lionel Messi after the Argentine forward made his final international appearance for Argentina.
ADVERTISE HERE:
[email protected]
Ronaldo, 41, took to social media to celebrate his long-time rival, praising Messi for his contribution to Argentina and the legacy he leaves behind after more than two decades on the international stage.
“Leo, so many years defending your country and a story that will last forever. All my respect for what you have achieved with Argentina. A hug,” Ronaldo wrote.
The message came after Messi reflected on his international journey in an emotional Instagram post following Argentina’s farewell match.
Messi marked his final appearance for Argentina in style, scoring and providing assists for Nicolas Otamendi and Nico Paz as the world champions secured a 3-0 victory over Benin.
The 39-year-old ended his Argentina career with 208 appearances and 126 goals, having led the country to the 2022 World Cup, two Copa America titles in 2021 and 2024 and the 2022 Finalissima.
Messi had also previously reached the World Cup final in 2014 before eventually lifting the trophy in Qatar in 2022.
His farewell brought tributes from across the football world, with Ronaldo’s message standing out given their long-running rivalry and status as two of the sport’s most celebrated players.
While Messi ended his international career on a high, Ronaldo is facing a difficult period with Portugal after leaving the squad earlier this week following the team’s 4-2 victory over Norway on September 27, in which he remained an unused substitute.
Ronaldo later accused Portugal manager Jorge Jesus of making false promises over his involvement in the team’s recent UEFA Nations League matches.
Post a Comment
Drop Your Comment In The Box Below