Cristiano Ronaldo has paid tribute to Lionel Messi following the Argentine forward’s emotional farewell to international football, bringing renewed attention to one of the greatest rivalries in the history of the sport.
Messi ended his 21-year international career on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, during Argentina’s 3-0 friendly victory over Benin at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires. The 39-year-old delivered a memorable performance, scoring from the penalty spot and providing two assists in front of more than 85,000 supporters.
Ronaldo, Messi’s long-time rival and one of football’s most celebrated players, responded to Messi’s farewell message on Instagram with words of respect for his achievements with Argentina.
“Leo, after so many years of defending your country, you’ve made history that will last forever. I have the utmost respect for what you’ve accomplished with Argentina. A hug,” Ronaldo wrote.
The message offered a moment of mutual respect between two players whose careers have been closely compared for more than a decade. Although they spent years competing for individual honours and major trophies, Ronaldo’s response acknowledged the significance of Messi’s achievements with his national team.
The farewell also prompted tributes from former teammates, fellow professionals and football supporters around the world.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Message to Lionel Messi
Ronaldo’s tribute was notable because of the history between the two footballers.
For much of the 2010s, the Portuguese forward and the Argentine captain dominated conversations about the world’s best player. Their performances, records and individual awards regularly placed them at the centre of football debates.
Their rivalry became particularly visible during their time in Spanish football. Messi starred for Barcelona, while Ronaldo represented Real Madrid, creating a period of intense competition between two of the sport’s biggest clubs.
The pair repeatedly challenged each other for the Ballon d’Or and other individual honours. Their contrasting playing styles, achievements and personalities attracted supporters across different generations.
Ronaldo’s latest message shifted the focus away from comparisons and towards Messi’s contribution to Argentina. By recognising the history Messi had created for his country, the Portuguese star acknowledged the importance of a career that brought Argentina major international trophies.
Messi’s farewell also comes as Ronaldo continues his own international journey with Portugal, leaving fans to consider how the careers of two defining figures of modern football will eventually be remembered.
Messi’s Final Argentina Match Ends With a 3-0 Victory
Argentina’s friendly against Benin at the Monumental Stadium was organised as a special occasion for Messi’s final appearance in front of the country’s supporters.
The match took place in Buenos Aires on October 6, with the home crowd turning the fixture into a celebration of the captain’s long service to the national team.
Argentina struggled to find the breakthrough during the first half, but the team improved after the interval. Nicolás Otamendi opened the scoring, with Messi involved in the move. Nico Paz then extended Argentina’s lead before Messi converted a penalty to complete the 3-0 victory.
The penalty was especially significant because it gave Messi his 126th international goal and provided a fitting conclusion to his final match for Argentina.
His two assists and goal also ensured that his farewell was marked by a direct contribution to the result rather than ceremony alone.
The performance reflected the role Messi played throughout his international career: creating chances, scoring decisive goals and helping Argentina compete at the highest level.
More Than 85,000 Fans Witness Messi’s Farewell
The Monumental Stadium was filled with supporters who had come to celebrate Messi’s contribution to Argentine football.
More than 85,000 fans attended the occasion, with the atmosphere reflecting the significance of the captain’s final appearance for the national team.
During the match, play was stopped in the 10th minute to allow players and supporters to honour Argentina’s number 10. Messi stood surrounded by teammates, including members of the squad that won the 2022 FIFA World Cup, as the stadium joined in the celebration.
Fireworks and other tributes added to the emotional atmosphere. Benin’s players also took part in the pre-match occasion, recognising the career of one of football’s most prominent figures.
After the final whistle, Messi addressed the crowd and reflected on the privilege of representing Argentina for more than two decades.
His emotions were visible throughout the farewell. The occasion brought together the sporting achievements, personal memories and national pride associated with his time in the Argentina shirt.
For many supporters, the night was not simply the end of an international career. It was an opportunity to recognise a player whose journey with Argentina included both difficult disappointments and historic triumphs.
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Ronaldinho, Neymar and Rodrigo De Paul Join the Tributes
Ronaldo was not the only major football figure to recognise Messi’s contribution to the game.
Brazilian legend Ronaldinho, who played alongside Messi at Barcelona and helped guide him during his early years at the club, shared an emotional message celebrating their connection.
Ronaldinho said it had been a pleasure to be part of Messi’s story from the beginning. He praised the Argentine for bringing happiness to football supporters and described his legacy as one that would remain in the history of the sport.
His tribute carried particular meaning because Ronaldinho was among the experienced players who witnessed Messi’s emergence as a young Barcelona talent.
Neymar also paid tribute to his former teammate. The Brazilian forward played alongside Messi at Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain and expressed gratitude for the influence Messi had on his love of football.
Neymar’s message reflected a relationship built through years of sharing the pitch, competing for trophies and creating memorable attacking partnerships.
Argentina midfielder Rodrigo De Paul also spoke about Messi’s influence, highlighting how the captain had helped him develop not only as a footballer but also as a person.
De Paul’s comments underlined Messi’s importance within the national team beyond his goals and assists. His leadership and experience have helped shape the environment around Argentina’s squad.
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Messi’s International Records and Major Achievements
Messi retires from Argentina with a record that places him among the most successful international footballers in history.
His final appearance was his 208th for the national team, while his penalty against Benin took his international goal tally to 126. Those figures leave him as Argentina’s most-capped player and leading goalscorer.
His career with the national team included major achievements at youth, Olympic and senior levels.
Among his most significant honours are:
- 2022 FIFA World Cup: Messi captained Argentina to the title in Qatar, completing a major ambition after years of international disappointment.
- Copa América 2021: Argentina won its first Copa América title since 1993, defeating Brazil in the final.
- Copa América 2024: Argentina retained the continental title, further strengthening its position among international football’s leading teams.
- 2022 Finalissima: Argentina defeated European champions Italy in the intercontinental contest.
- 2008 Olympic gold: Messi was part of Argentina’s team that won the men’s football tournament at the Beijing Olympics.
His achievements were not limited to trophies. Messi also became a central figure in Argentina’s football identity, carrying the expectations of a country with a long history of producing world-class players.
His early international career included difficult defeats and criticism, but his later success transformed how his national-team journey is remembered.
The 2022 World Cup victory was especially important, providing the defining achievement that had eluded him for much of his career.
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Messi’s Emotional Connection With Argentina
Messi’s farewell was shaped by more than football statistics.
After the match, he spoke about the pride he felt in representing Argentina and the emotions that came with ending a journey lasting more than 20 years.
He also reflected on his family and remembered his late father. The personal nature of his remarks offered a glimpse into the experiences behind a career followed by millions of people.
For Messi, wearing Argentina’s shirt had involved the pressure of representing a football-loving nation while navigating both public expectations and personal challenges.
His journey included disappointment at major tournaments before Argentina’s successes in the 2021 Copa América and 2022 World Cup changed the direction of his international story.
The farewell gave supporters an opportunity to celebrate the player’s achievements while recognising the personal sacrifices associated with a career at the highest level.
Messi has indicated that he already misses wearing Argentina’s colours, even as he believes the decision to step away from international football is the right one.
His retirement does not mean the end of his involvement in professional football. He is expected to continue his club career with Inter Miami.
A New Chapter for Argentina’s National Team
Messi’s departure leaves Argentina facing the challenge of moving forward without the player who has been central to its team for more than two decades.
The captain’s influence has extended beyond his role as a goalscorer. His vision, passing, movement and ability to decide important matches have shaped Argentina’s attacking approach across several generations of teammates.
Nico Paz, who scored during the Benin match, is among the younger players attracting attention as Argentina considers its next generation of talent. However, replacing Messi’s overall contribution will not be a straightforward task.
Argentina still has experienced players and emerging prospects capable of contributing to the team’s future. The challenge will be to maintain the standards established during the country’s recent international success while allowing new leaders to develop.
Messi’s farewell also coincided with the end of another international chapter for defender Nicolás Otamendi, who scored Argentina’s opening goal against Benin.
The transition will require more than finding a new number 10. Argentina must continue to develop its team identity, distribute leadership responsibilities and prepare younger players for the pressure of major competitions.
Ronaldo Faces Questions About His Own Portugal Future
While Messi received an emotional farewell from Argentina, Ronaldo has faced uncertainty surrounding his own relationship with Portugal’s national team.
Recent reports have described a dispute involving Ronaldo and Portugal coach Jorge Jesus. Ronaldo reportedly left the national-team camp amid disagreement over his playing time after being left out of the starting line-up.
The situation has drawn attention because Ronaldo remains one of Portugal’s most important players and has built an international career filled with records and major honours.
However, the reports do not establish that Ronaldo has retired from international football. His future with Portugal remains a separate matter from Messi’s confirmed farewell to Argentina.
The contrast between the two stories has generated discussion among supporters. Messi’s final match was planned as a celebration of his contribution, while questions about Ronaldo’s next steps have emerged amid reports of disagreement within the Portuguese camp.
It would be premature to treat Ronaldo’s recent dispute as a definitive end to his international career. Any decision about retirement or a return to the national team will depend on developments involving the player and Portugal’s coaching staff.
Benin Coach Raises Concerns After Messi’s Farewell
Messi’s final international match also prompted a separate discussion after Benin coach Gernot Rohr reportedly expressed frustration over his players’ attempts to meet the Argentine star after the game.
According to reports published after the friendly, Rohr said his players were unable to get close enough to Argentina’s squad to take photographs with Messi or exchange shirts.
The Benin team had travelled to Buenos Aires for a match that became a major occasion in Argentina’s football calendar. For players from the visiting side, the opportunity to share the pitch with Messi was a significant experience.
Rohr’s reported comments introduced a note of controversy into what had otherwise been a celebratory night. His concerns centred on the players’ inability to obtain the personal mementos or photographs they had hoped for.
The reported complaint does not change the result or Messi’s achievements during the match, but it adds another perspective to the events surrounding his farewell.
The Argentina Football Association’s official account confirmed the 3-0 victory and Messi’s goal in his final appearance before the home crowd.
What Messi’s Farewell Means for Football
Messi’s retirement from international football marks the end of a defining chapter in the modern game.
His career with Argentina stretched across changing generations of players, multiple coaching eras and several major tournaments. It included painful defeats, renewed criticism, historic victories and ultimately the achievement of winning the World Cup.
The farewell also brought together players who had shared different parts of his journey. Ronaldinho remembered his early development, Neymar celebrated their time as teammates, De Paul highlighted his personal influence and Ronaldo acknowledged his enduring legacy.
Their tributes demonstrate how Messi’s impact extends beyond Argentina and beyond the rivalry that has often defined comparisons with Ronaldo.
As Messi continues his club career, his international records and achievements will remain a central part of his legacy. Argentina will now have to build its future without its long-time captain, while supporters will remember the farewell as a celebration of one of the country’s most successful footballers.
For Ronaldo, the tribute offered a moment of respect between two competitors whose careers helped define an era. Their rivalry may continue to be debated, but Messi’s farewell showed that admiration can exist alongside years of competition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Why did Cristiano Ronaldo pay tribute to Lionel Messi?
Ronaldo responded to Messi’s farewell message after the Argentine ended his international career. He praised the history Messi created while representing Argentina and expressed respect for his achievements.
Q2. When did Lionel Messi play his final match for Argentina?
Messi’s final Argentina appearance took place on October 6, 2026, in a friendly against Benin at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires.
Q3. What was the result of Argentina versus Benin?
Argentina won the match 3-0. Nicolás Otamendi and Nico Paz scored before Messi converted a penalty to complete the result.
Q4. How many goals did Messi score for Argentina?
Messi finished his international career with 126 goals for Argentina, making him the national team’s record goalscorer.
Q5. How many appearances did Messi make for Argentina?
His farewell against Benin was his 208th appearance for the national team, leaving him as Argentina’s most-capped player.
Q6. Which major trophies did Messi win with Argentina?
His honours include the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the 2021 and 2024 Copa América titles, the 2022 Finalissima and the 2008 Olympic gold medal.
Q7. Did Ronaldinho and Neymar also pay tribute to Messi?
Yes. Ronaldinho praised Messi’s legacy and recalled being part of his journey from the early days, while Neymar thanked him for inspiring his love of football.
Q8. Has Cristiano Ronaldo retired from international football?
The reports about Ronaldo concern a dispute with Portugal’s coaching staff. They do not establish that he has officially retired from international football.
Q9. Will Messi continue playing professional football?
Messi is expected to continue his club career with Inter Miami. His retirement from Argentina does not mean he has ended his professional playing career.
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