Ronaldo shares emotional message upon Messi's retirement, expressing 'utmost respect'

Cristiano Ronaldo, the long-time rival of Lionel Messi, has shared a message following Messi's retirement from international football. The Portuguese star took to social media to express his emotions, paying tribute to the history Messi created and his achievements while wearing the Argentina jersey.

After his farewell match, Messi shared an emotional post on Instagram, expressing gratitude for his journey with the national team spanning over two decades, and thanking his family, teammates, coaches, and fans.

Commenting on that post, Ronaldo wrote, "Leo, you played for your country for so many years and created a legacy that will last forever. I have the utmost respect for what you achieved with Argentina. A big hug."

Messi shines in his farewell match

On Tuesday, Messi took the field for the last time for Argentina against Benin at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires. Argentina won the match 3–0 in front of a crowd of over 85,000 spectators.

The 39-year-old star left his mark on his final match as well; in addition to scoring a goal, he provided assists for two other goals scored by his teammates. This was his 208th and final international match in the Argentina jersey.

This match marked the end of Messi's 21-year journey in international football. He retired as Argentina's most-capped player and all-time leading goalscorer, having played 208 matches and scored 126 goals.

Mutual respect amidst a two-decade rivalry

The rivalry between Messi and Ronaldo is one of the most talked-about chapters in modern football. Their duels, particularly during their time at Barcelona and Real Madrid, captivated the football world for a long period.

Despite their on-field rivalry, both stars have frequently expressed respect for one another. Ronaldo's message upon Messi's retirement served as another example of that relationship.

Earlier in August, Ronaldo had offered his condolences following the death of Messi's father, Jorge Messi. Jorge Messi passed away at the age of 68 after a long illness. Messi has won several major titles with the national team, including the 2022 World Cup and the 2021 and 2024 Copa América. In a farewell post, he expressed that he is already missing the feeling of wearing the Argentina jersey.

Meanwhile, there is also speculation regarding Ronaldo's international future. Questions have arisen about his relationship with coach Jorge Jesus after he left the Portugal national team camp, although he has not yet announced his retirement from international football.