In a touching act of sportsmanship, Cristiano Ronaldo shared a heartfelt note for Lionel Messi following the Argentine captain’s retirement from international football on Wednesday. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner hung up his boots for Argentina after a grand farewell against Benin at the Estadio Mas Monumental in Buenos Aires, with his close friends and family present to witness Messi one final time in national-team colours. Amid tributes from former teammates, long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo also paid tribute to Lionel Messi in a viral social media post.
Ronaldo paid tribute to the legacy Messi created with Argentina and the lasting impact he leaves behind.
“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 replied under Messi’s retirement post.
Cristiano Ronaldo REPLIES to Leo Messi. https://t.co/Vud1TRypc0
— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) October 7, 2026
Following the match, Messi posted a letter penning down his thoughts after the match.Â
“Yesterday was my last game and I already miss wearing blue and white. I know I’m making the right decision. It was an incredible road, filled with joys and also some sorrows, but I’m clear that it was worth every step I took,” posted Messi.
The Argentine maestro admitted that he is left with a lot to say, but cannot express it in a few words. He thanked his family for always standing by him. Thanking all close people, he also paid tribute to the late World Cup-winning legend and former head coach Diego Maradona, for helping the team “be here with us and also from heaven, in every step we took.”
“And I’m left with a lot to say. It is impossible for me to express everything I feel in a few words or in a post. This trip would have been impossible without my family, who always stood by my side and supported me, especially during the difficult times, when I needed it most,” he said.
“They were also indispensable my friends, all the colleagues and technicians I had, along with their technical bodies. I don’t want to forget Diego, who put our country where it deserved to be and who, as I always say, I know that he helped us be here with us and also from heaven, in every step we took,” he added.
Messi also thanked all the clubs he played for for letting him wear the national colours and “dedicate himself to the country when it was time to put on the national team shirt.”
“Thanks to the clubs I played in, for always respecting my feelings and allowing me to dedicate myself to my country when it was time to put on the national team shirt. And, of course, thank God: without His guidance and His will, we would not even be dreaming of having come this far,” he said.
“I am a grateful person. I love you so much, I will miss you and I will always thank you for being by our side, by my side,” signed off the maestro.
(With ANI Inputs)
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