Cristiano Ronaldo Honors Lionel Messi After His Farewell Match

Cristiano Ronaldo paid tribute to Lionel Messi after his farewell match, acknowledging Messi's dedication to Argentina. Messi's emotional letter reflected on his journey, expressing gratitude to his family and honoring Diego Maradona. With a remarkable career ending, Messi leaves behind a legacy of 126 goals for Argentina and a lasting impact on football history. Discover more about this heartfelt exchange and Messi's incredible achievements in the full article.

By Narendra Chaudhary Oct 8, 2026, 00:36 IST

Ronaldo's Tribute to Messi

Cristiano Ronaldo, the renowned Portuguese footballer, expressed his admiration for Lionel Messi following the Argentine's farewell match. He acknowledged Messi's years of dedication to his national team, emphasizing that this legacy will endure through history. Ronaldo extended a heartfelt 'hug' to the World Cup champion.

In a spectacular send-off, Messi concluded his international career with a stellar performance, contributing two assists and scoring a goal in Argentina's 3-0 triumph over Benin in Buenos Aires on Tuesday night. This match, celebrated as Messi's last for Argentina, showcased his exceptional skills, leaving fans with cherished memories.

Ronaldo's Respectful Response

After the game, Messi shared a heartfelt letter reflecting on his experiences. In response, Ronaldo commented, 'Leo, so many years defending your country and a history that will last forever. All my respect for what you have achieved with Argentina. A hug.' This exchange highlights the mutual respect between the two football legends.

Messi's Touching Farewell Letter

In his letter, Messi expressed his longing for the national colors, stating that despite the ups and downs, his international journey was 'worth every step.' He wrote, '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.'

Messi acknowledged the difficulty of summarizing his feelings in a few words and expressed gratitude to his family for their unwavering support.

Honoring Maradona and Loved Ones

He also paid tribute to the late Diego Maradona, the World Cup-winning icon and former coach, for his influence on the team. Messi stated, 'This journey would have been impossible without my family, who always stood by my side and supported me, especially during the difficult times.'

He expressed appreciation for his friends, teammates, and coaches, emphasizing Maradona's role in their success. Messi thanked all the clubs he represented for allowing him to wear the national jersey and dedicate himself to Argentina.

'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 concluded.

Messi's Remarkable Career Statistics

Messi, a two-time Copa America champion (2021 and 2024) and FIFA World Cup winner, concludes his international career with an impressive tally of 126 goals and 208 appearances for Argentina, the highest for any player in the nation's history. He is also the second-highest goal-scorer in FIFA World Cup history with 21 goals, just behind Kylian Mbappe, who holds the record with 22 goals. Messi's performance in the 2026 World Cup was exceptional, featuring eight goals and four assists. He continues to play for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer (MLS).