October 8, 2026
Argentine star Lionel Messi brought down the curtain on his international career, which spanned 21 years, with a final appearance at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires, during which he led his country, winner of the 2022 World Cup and the Copa America twice, to victory over Benin 3-0, during which he scored one goal and made two assists, amid an emotional farewell in front of more than 85,000 spectators. Messi, who is 39 years old and holds the record for participation and goals with Argentina, leaves the national team as a pure national symbol, after he succeeded in turning years of pressure and criticism into a complete success story and major titles.
On the other hand, the career of Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo with his country’s national team takes a more complex turn. The 41-year-old star entered into a crisis with coach Jorge Jesus over keeping him on the bench in the Norway match, which prompted him to leave the national team camp, accusing the coach of violating the agreement concluded between them regarding his participation, while at the same time confirming his readiness to represent the national team again after carrying out any punishment. This crisis comes after Ronaldo announced after Portugal’s exit from the 2026 World Cup against Spain that the tournament was his last in the World Cup, bringing down the curtain on his participation in six editions of the World Cup.
The fundamental difference between the two football legends is evident in the way the final is managed. Messi chose to withdraw at the right time to exit the big door achieving everything that his legacy lacked, while Ronaldo struggled to determine his position within a changing Portuguese squad and a new coach seeking to manage roles and minutes in a different way, in light of the Portuguese star’s insistence on playing a key role.
In a remarkable paradox that reflects the spirit of competition and mutual appreciation, Cristiano Ronaldo was one of the first to congratulate his historic rival, sending him a message of respect after the end of his career with Argentina. While Messi left the national team after his victory over the pressures of the past, Ronaldo faces the test of the present, leaving football in front of the last remaining chapters of the greatest individual rivalry in the modern era.
