On the same night Lionel Messi was given an emotional farewell by Argentina, Cristiano Ronaldo’s relationship with Portugal appeared to reach its most difficult point yet. While Messi celebrated the final chapter of his glittering international career before an 85,000-strong crowd in Buenos Aires, Ronaldo was thousands of miles away……
On the same night Lionel Messi was given an emotional farewell by Argentina, Cristiano Ronaldo’s relationship with Portugal appeared to reach its most difficult point yet.
While Messi celebrated the final chapter of his glittering international career before an 85,000-strong crowd in Buenos Aires, Ronaldo was thousands of miles away embroiled in a public dispute with Portugal coach Jorge Jesus.
Messi scored in Argentina’s farewell victory over Benin before addressing supporters in an emotional speech, bringing an end to a national-team career decorated with a World Cup and two Copa America titles.
Ronaldo, meanwhile, published an almost 2,000-word statement on social media in which he accused Jesus of an “absolute breach of trust” and claimed the coach had twice “broke his word”.
The Al-Nassr forward also apologised to supporters and his team-mates for leaving Portugal’s Nations League camp, saying the consequences of his actions should be “assessed and punished”.
However, he rejected suggestions that his international career was already over.
“We will have one or more farewell matches, there will be time for that,” Ronaldo said.
The 41-year-old had left the national-team camp after being an unused substitute during Portugal’s Nations League victory over Norway and subsequently learning that he would not start against Denmark.
Jesus has maintained that the door remains open for Ronaldo to return, but questions are mounting over whether the relationship can be repaired.
Portuguese football journalist Jose Delgado told BBC Radio 5 Live that he did not believe there was a route back for the veteran forward.
“I don’t think there is a way back. In the statement, Ronaldo says he will return to the national team but at the same time he calls Jesus a liar three times,” Delgado said.
He added: “Things will never be the same again. No matter what happens, no matter if he plays again or if you have a game to say goodbye to Ronaldo things will never be the same.”
Delgado acknowledged Ronaldo’s extraordinary contribution to Portuguese football but argued that his time at the highest international level had come to an end.
“What Ronaldo did for Portuguese football is unique and incredible and we must thank him for all the service he gave to Portugal. But at 41, he has no place in the best XI of Portugal.”
Ronaldo remains Portugal’s record appearance-maker and goalscorer, with 234 caps and 146 goals. He has helped the country win Euro 2016 and the Nations League twice.
Despite the latest controversy, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner appears unlikely to voluntarily walk away while he continues his pursuit of 1,000 career goals. He currently has 979 for club and country.
Support among Portuguese supporters also appears divided.
Posters in Lisbon praised Ronaldo and criticised Jesus, with one message reading: “Thank you Cristiano Ronaldo for everything you did for Portugal. You will always be our captain.”
Another criticised the manager, saying: “Jorge Jesus was not up to the task. Lack of sensitivity. Treating a captain wrongly. Inflated ego.”
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At Portugal’s match against Denmark, some supporters wore shirts displaying ‘Love you Jesus’, while others arrived dressed in Ronaldo merchandise.
Messi’s emotional farewell
For Messi, the night could hardly have been more different.
The 39-year-old brought the curtain down on his Argentina career in front of a packed Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires, with 85,000 supporters turning out to celebrate one of the greatest careers in the history of the national team.
Messi, who won the 2022 World Cup and two Copa America titles with Argentina, marked his final appearance with a goal before delivering an emotional speech that lasted almost 10 minutes.
Some of his team-mates were reduced to tears as Messi admitted he did not want the moment to end.
“There are so many emotions going through me right now,” he said. “I’m surely forgetting many things I would like to say because this is a very difficult moment for me. The first person who comes to my mind is my dad.
“I leave grateful, proud and at peace. Thank you for everything.”
Messi later reflected on his farewell in a social media post.
“Yesterday was my last match and I’m already missing the light blue and white jersey.
“I know I’m taking the right decision. It was an incredible journey, full of joy and some sadness, but I know for sure that every step I took was worth it.”
The Inter Miami forward also thanked his family, team-mates and clubs while paying tribute to late Argentina icon Diego Maradona.
Ronaldo himself responded to Messi’s farewell message, writing: “Leo, after so many years of defending your country, you’ve made history that will last forever.
“I have the utmost respect for what you’ve accomplished with Argentina. A hug.”
Messi leaves Argentina as the country’s record appearance-maker and goalscorer, with 208 caps, 126 goals and 67 assists.
Unlike Ronaldo’s uncertain situation with Portugal, Messi’s international farewell has the appearance of a carefully closed chapter.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner will continue playing for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer while increasingly turning his attention towards business and football ownership.
Football expert Guillem Balague said Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni would still welcome Messi back if he changed his mind, but suggested the forward had already made his decision.
“Coach Lionel Scaloni insists that if Messi ever wants to carry on, he can, and there is no embarrassment in changing one’s mind. But that chapter seems closed.”
Balague added that Messi was unlikely to leave football entirely.
“Ask the people around him what comes after that and they smile, because Messi has never really planned beyond his next game.
“Even so, the shape of what lies ahead is already in front of us. He will stay inside football, because he would struggle to live without it, but his other business interests stretch far outside the game.”
