Ronaldo pays tribute to Messi after final Argentina match: "All my respect"

Cristiano Ronaldo paid tribute to Lionel Messi on Instagram after the Argentine’s farewell match with the national team on Tuesday evening in Buenos Aires against Benin (3-0). “Leo, so many years defending your country and a story that will remain forever. All my respect for what you have accomplished with Argentina. I embrace you,” wrote the 41-year-old Portuguese player, setting aside a rivalry maintained for nearly two decades.

Messi, 39, was earning his 208th and final international cap. He concluded this chapter by scoring one last time, his 126th goal in the light blue and white shirt, in front of an Argentine crowd who came to say goodbye to him.

In a lengthy post that garnered more than six million likes, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner shared his feelings: “Yesterday, I decided to leave and I have already started to feel the absence of wearing the light blue and white shirt. I know I am making the right decision. It has been an incredible journey, filled with joys and also some sorrows, but I know that every step I took was worth it.”

Messi also paid tribute to Diego Maradona in his message: “I do not want to forget Diego, who placed our country where it deserved to be and who, as I always say, helped us by being here with us, but also from heaven, at every step we took.”

Ronaldo’s reaction contrasts with the situation of his own international career ending. Portugal’s captain is going through a much more turbulent period with the Seleção, which makes his gesture towards Messi all the more noteworthy.