Messi bids farewell to Argentina as Ronaldo's row with Portugal coach escalates
Lionel Messi ended his Argentina career with a goal against Benin, while Cristiano Ronaldo publicly accused Portugal coach Jorge Jesus of breaching his trust. Ronaldo's international future is now unclear.
Two of football's greatest players were in the spotlight for very different reasons on the same night. In Buenos Aires, Lionel Messi said goodbye to Argentina, while Cristiano Ronaldo released a long social media statement directed at Portugal manager Jorge Jesus.
Messi's farewell
In front of 85,000 fans at the Monumental, the 39-year-old Messi scored in his final match for Argentina, against Benin. He then thanked supporters in a speech lasting almost ten minutes, with some team-mates in tears. He said he was leaving grateful, proud and at peace, and that his father was the first person who came to mind. He finishes with one World Cup and two Copa Americas, and as Argentina's record appearance-maker and goalscorer. He will continue at MLS side Inter Miami, and is also looking at football club ownership: he already owns two Spanish clubs.
Ronaldo's dispute
The 41-year-old Ronaldo left Portugal's Nations League camp last week after being an unused substitute against Norway and learning he would not start against Denmark. In a statement of almost 2,000 words on Instagram, he claimed Jesus had twice broken his word and spoke of an "absolute breach of trust". He also apologised for leaving camp, accepted that this should be assessed and punished, and said there would be one or more farewell matches.
Jesus had earlier said the door remained open for Ronaldo to return. Portuguese journalist Jose Delgado believes there is no way back and that relations will never be the same. In a poll, only 15% of Portuguese people sided with Ronaldo. Billboards in Lisbon have appeared both supporting Ronaldo and criticising the coach, while at the Denmark game some fans wore "Love you Jesus" shirts.
Ronaldo holds Portugal's records of 146 goals in 234 appearances. He has 979 career goals for club and country and is chasing 1,000. He responded to Messi's farewell post with a message of respect.
