ALBAWABA - Cristiano Ronaldo has sent a powerful message to Lionel Messi following the Argentine superstar’s emotional farewell to international football, and the Portuguese icon’s short Instagram comment has quickly become a social-media sensation.
Cristiano Ronaldo responded to Messi’s farewell post with a message of respect for the longtime rival who shared one of football’s greatest eras with him.
“Leo, so many years defending your country and a story that will remain forever. All my respect for what you have achieved with Argentina. A hug,” Ronaldo wrote.
A post shared by Cristiano Ronaldo (@cristiano)
The message immediately attracted enormous attention. Reports say Ronaldo’s comment has surpassed 5.3 million likes, adding another remarkable social-media record to the long-running story between the two football legends. It reportedly reached hundreds of thousands of likes within minutes of being posted.
Cristiano Ronaldo Responds to Messi’s Emotional Farewell
Messi played his final match for Argentina on October 6, facing Benin in a packed Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.
The 39-year-old delivered a memorable final performance, scoring once and assisting twice as Argentina secured a 3-0 victory in front of more than 85,000 supporters.
After the match, Messi shared an emotional message reflecting on his 21-year journey with the national team.
“Yesterday was my last game, and I already miss wearing the blue and white,” Messi wrote, explaining that he believed he was making the right decision. He also reflected on the joy and difficult moments of his international career and thanked the people who supported him along the way.
Messi also remembered Diego Maradona and acknowledged his enormous influence on Argentine football.
A post shared by Cristiano Ronaldo (@cristiano)
Ronaldo’s message carries extra weight because of the history between the two players.
For more than 15 years, Messi and Ronaldo were at the center of football’s biggest individual rivalry. Their competition reached its peak during their years in Spain, with Messi starring for Barcelona and Ronaldo leading Real Madrid.
They repeatedly competed for the biggest individual awards, including the Ballon d’Or. Between them, they won the award 13 times.
Their rivalry also produced some of the most memorable matches in modern football, particularly during the years of El Clásico.
Yet despite the constant comparisons between them, both players have generally spoken about each other with respect.
Ronaldo’s latest message offered another reminder of that respect as Messi closed the international chapter of his career.
Messi Leaves Argentina With a Historic Legacy
Messi retires from Argentina as the country’s record appearance holder and leading goalscorer.
He finished his international career with 208 appearances and 126 goals, along with 66 assists, according to current reports.
More importantly, Messi finally delivered the major international trophies that had once seemed to escape him.
He helped Argentina win the 2021 Copa América, the 2022 Finalissima and the 2022 FIFA World Cup before adding another Copa América title in 2024.
His final Argentina appearance therefore became more than another international match. It was a celebration of a career that transformed the national team and ended with Messi scoring and assisting in front of his home supporters.
The reaction to Ronaldo’s message shows how much interest still surrounds the two superstars.
The comment itself was short and simple. There was no lengthy statement or dramatic announcement. Ronaldo simply recognized Messi’s achievements and described the history he created with Argentina as something that would last forever.
Yet those few words were enough to attract more than 4.6 million likes, according to reports, demonstrating the enormous global audience still following every interaction between the two players.
The timing was also striking. Messi was saying goodbye to Argentina while Ronaldo’s own international future had become uncertain after his recent dispute with Portugal coach Jorge Jesus.
Unlike Messi, Ronaldo has not officially announced his retirement from international football. Jesus has left the door open for Ronaldo to return, while the Portuguese star remains available for future selections.
For years, fans argued over whether Messi or Ronaldo was the greatest player of their generation.
Now, as Messi closes his Argentina chapter, Ronaldo’s viral tribute offered something different from that familiar debate: a moment of recognition between two players whose careers will forever be linked.
And judging by the millions of likes, football fans around the world were more than ready to see it.
Zaid Qaissieh is a passionate English news and content writer with a knack for storytelling and an eye for detail. covering a range of Entertainment topics—from breaking global news and trending entertainment stories to insightful pieces—I bring a creative edge to every article. Zaid aims to engage, inform, and inspire readers, balancing well-researched content with a fresh, accessible voice.
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