Ronaldo leads heartfelt tributes to Messi as he signs off international football

Cristiano Ronaldo led the tributes from the football world as Lionel Messi signed off from international football, with the Portuguese great saluting his long-time rival's two-decade journey with Argentina. "Leo, so many years defending your country and a history that will last forever," Ronaldo wrote on Instagram, replying to a post in which Messi reflected on his farewell night.

"All my respect for what you have achieved with Argentina." The two players dominated the game for well over a decade, sharing the Ballon d'Or between them for years and going head-to-head in LaLiga when Messi was at Barcelona and Ronaldo at Real Madrid. Messi, 39, ended his 21-year Argentina career on Tuesday night, October 6, with a penalty and two assists in a 3-0 friendly win over Benin at the Monumental in Buenos Aires.

All three goals came in the second half. Brazilian great Ronaldinho, who was a mentor to a teenage Messi at Barcelona, said it had been a pleasure to be part of his story "since day one." "You made us smile and enjoy football so much!!!

Your name is etched in the history of your country and the entire world," Ronaldinho wrote on X. "You gave your all for your national team and your country… I understand you perfectly, and I know that anything involving family makes us rethink things.

Qué placer y qué alegría haber formado parte de tu historia desde el primer día hermano! Nos hiciste sonreír y disfrutar tanto del fútbol!!!

Tu nombre está en la historia de tu país, de todo el mundo… Solo nosotros sabemos la alegría que sentimos al cumplir nuestro sueño de…pic. Those who love football have cherished watching you all these years," the Brazilian wrote.

Argentina midfielder Rodrigo De Paul, Messi's close friend and Inter Miami teammate, said the forward had shaped him as a player and as a man. "He made me grow not only as a footballer, but also as a person," De Paul said.

Night at the Monumental The Argentine Football Association had billed Messi's 208th appearance as a farewell occasion, and more than 85,000 tickets were sold. The referee stopped play in the 10th minute so players and fans could honour Argentina's number 10, with Messi standing on the pitch surrounded by teammates from the 2022 World Cup-winning side as fireworks went off above the stadium.