Lionel Messi bid farewell to the Argentine national team this Wednesday with an emotional message on Instagram after playing his last match with the Albiceleste. Among the many reactions, one particularly stood out: that of his historic rival, Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Portuguese made a brief but impactful acknowledgment: "All my respect for what you have achieved with Argentina," he replied to the post.
In his farewell post on Instagram, Messi wrote: “Yesterday was my last match and I already miss wearing the light blue and white. I know I am making the right decision. It was an incredible journey, full of joys and also some sorrows, but I am clear that every step I took was worth it.”
The text accumulated nearly 12 million "likes" and over 595,000 comments in just a few hours, but it was the message from the Portuguese star that garnered the most attention: "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's comment surpassed two million reactions in just a few hours and generated tens of thousands of responses, becoming the most significant public gesture between the two greatest footballers of his generation.
In his message, Messi thanked his family, teammates, coaches, and clubs, and reserved a special place for Diego Maradona: "I don't want to forget Diego, who put our country where it deserved to be and who, as I always say, I know helped us by being here with us and also from the sky, in every step we took."
He closed with words full of affection: "I am grateful. I love you all very much, I will miss you, and I will always thank you for being by our side, by my side."
The farewell match took place on Tuesday night at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires, in front of more than 85,000 spectators who sold out all the tickets.
Argentina defeated Benin 3-0 in a friendly match organized by the AFA as a tribute to the captain. Messi said goodbye with a goal and two assists: he scored from a penalty —his number 126 goal with the Albiceleste— and set up goals for Nicolás Otamendi and Nico Paz.
At the 10th minute, the referee stopped the game so the stadium could applaud him amidst fireworks, while players from Benin approached to greet him. Messi stepped onto the field accompanied by his sons Thiago, Mateo, and Ciro, and was unable to hold back his tears during the anthem.
Messi announced his retirement from the national team at the end of August through a handwritten letter on Instagram, written two days after the final of the 2026 World Cup, which Argentina lost 1-0 to Spain in extra time. The post was delayed for weeks due to the passing of his father, Jorge Messi, on August 8 at the age of 68.
It wasn't the first time Ronaldo had extended a hand in a difficult moment: in August, after the death of Jorge Messi, the Portuguese had written to him, "A huge hug for you and your family during these tough times, Leo. Stay strong."
The gesture this Wednesday, however, comes in a particular context: Messi is among the nominees for the 2026 Ballon d'Or while Ronaldo has been left off the list for the fourth consecutive season.
Messi concludes his time with the national team with 208 matches and 126 goals over 21 years, being the top scorer and the player with the most appearances in the history of the national team, with titles that include the Qatar 2022 World Cup, two Copa Américas, and the Olympic gold from Beijing 2008.
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