▲ Lionel Messi leaving the Argentina national team
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo (41, Al Nassr) has paid tribute to his "rival" Lionel Messi (39, Inter Miami) following Messi's retirement from the Argentina national team.
Messi posted a lengthy message on Instagram on the 7th (local time).
"Yesterday was my last match, and I already miss wearing the sky-blue and white jersey," he wrote.
"It has been an incredible journey filled with both joy and sorrow, but I am certain that every step I took was worth it," he added.
Messi also mentioned Diego Maradona.
"I don't want to forget Diego, who put Argentina where it deserves to be and, as I always say, helped us with every step we took here and from heaven," he wrote.
Ronaldo responded to the post.
"Leo, you have played for your country for many years and created history that will last forever. I have the utmost respect for what you have achieved with Argentina," he wrote.
Messi and Ronaldo have competed for the title of the world's best player throughout their careers.
The previous day in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Messi played his final international match in front of a crowd of over 85,000.
Registering 1 goal and 2 assists in a friendly match against Benin to lead Argentina to a 3-0 victory, Messi brought a brilliant close to his 21-year international career.
As captain, Messi led Argentina to victory at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and the 2021 and 2024 Copa America tournaments.
In contrast, Ronaldo's final chapter with the national team has not been as smooth as Messi's.
Amid friction with Portugal manager Jorge Jesus, Ronaldo recently left the national team camp during the international match period.
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News, Getty Images)
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