Ronaldo’s tribute to Messi has captured attention across the football world, with Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo setting aside their legendary rivalry to acknowledge Lionel Messi following the Argentine superstar’s emotional international farewell.
Messi, 39, was a star in Argentina’s 3-0 friendly win over Benin on Tuesday in front of over 85,000 fans at Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires, with two assists as well as one goal. The occasion celebrated his remarkable 21-year international career and achievements in Argentina’s blue-and-white shirt.
After the match, Messi expressed his emotions on Instagram, revealing his regret about leaving international football, as it was not only the experience of playing for his country but also the people he played with.
“Yesterday was my last game, and I already miss wearing the blue and white. I know that I’m taking the right path,” Messi wrote.
He called his trip abroad to his wife and children a wonderful experience with a lot of challenging times, but it had all been worth it.
Ronaldo’s action was another page in the pages of one of football’s greatest rivalries. The Portuguese forward and Messi have been the conversation pieces when it comes to greatness for over a decade and have been in competition for the biggest accolades while creating unprecedented records for their clubs and countries.
Though they have had some competition, there have also been times when the two players have shown respect for one another. Ronaldo’s tribute after Messi’s retirement emphasized on the importance of their golden era in the history of world football.
Messi’s international career has been marked by significant achievements, such as his 2021 participation in the Copa América and his 2022 World Cup appearance for Argentina. The laurels on his head sealed his reputation in Argentina’s footballing heritage, coming after a few years of frustration and criticism for the home team’s poor performances in previous tournaments.
