Ronaldo Praises Messi After Retirement with ‘Utmost Respect’
· Sports · Times of India, Indian Express
Cristiano Ronaldo shared a heartfelt tribute to Lionel Messi following the Argentine’s final international match. Messi, 39, retired from Argentina duty after a 3-0 friendly win over Benin at Buenos Aires’ Monumental Stadium, where he scored once and assisted twice in front of over 85,000 fans. In a lengthy Instagram post, Messi expressed gratitude for his 21-year career, Argentina’s 2022 World Cup triumph, and victories in the Copa America (2021, 2024) and Finalissima (2022). Ronaldo, his long-time rival, acknowledged Messi’s historic contributions, stating, “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.”
Why it matters
This marks a significant moment in football history as two of the sport’s greatest icons publicly acknowledge each other’s legacy, ending years of rivalry with mutual respect.
Read the original report — Times of India
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