Soccer-Ronaldo hails Messi after Argentina great says he already misses national team足球——C罗盛赞梅西，此前阿根廷巨星表示他已经开始想念国家队了。
Oct 7 (Reuters) - Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo set aside one of soccer's great rivalries on Wednesday to pay tribute to Lionel Messi after the Argentine said he already missed representing his country following his emotional international retirement.
Soccer Football - International Friendly - Argentina v Benin - Estadio Monumental, Buenos Aires, Argentina - October 6, 2026 Argentina's Lionel Messi speaks to fans following his final international match REUTERS/Matias Baglietto
Oct 7 (Reuters) - Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo set aside one of soccer's great rivalries on Wednesday to pay tribute to Lionel Messi after the Argentine said he already missed representing his country following his emotional international retirement.
Messi, 39, delivered one final masterclass in Argentina's blue and white on Tuesday, scoring once and setting up two goals in a 3-0 friendly win over Benin before more than 85,000 fans at Buenos Aires' Monumental Stadium, where his farewell became a celebration of an extraordinary 21-year international career.
"Yesterday was my last game, and I already miss wearing the blue and white. I know I'm making the right decision," Messi said in a lengthy Instagram post. "It's been an incredible journey, full of joy and also some sadness, but I know for sure that every step I took was worth it...
"I don't want to forget Diego (Maradona), who put our country where it deserved to be and who, as I always say, I know helped us both by being here with us and also from heaven, with every step we took.
"Thank you to the clubs where I played, for always respecting my feelings and allowing me to dedicate myself to my country whenever it was time to put on the national team jersey..."
Messi captained Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title and Copa America triumphs in 2021 and 2024, while also helping them win the 2022 Finalissima.
"I am grateful. I love you all very much; I'm going to miss you, and I will always thank you for having been by our side, by my side," the Inter Miami playmaker added.
Messi and Ronaldo have vied for recognition as the greatest player of their generation throughout their illustrious careers, with the 41-year-old Portuguese forward among those to respond to the post.
"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," Ronaldo said.
Ronaldo, meanwhile, is embroiled in a dispute with Portugal coach Jorge Jesus following his abrupt departure from the national team's training camp.
(Reporting by Pearl Josephine Nazare in BengaluruEditing by Toby Davis)
Thank you for your report!
足球 - 国际友谊赛 - 阿根廷对阵贝宁 - 阿根廷布宜诺斯艾利斯纪念碑球场 - 2026年10月6日 阿根廷球星梅西在最后一场国际比赛后与球迷交谈 路透社/马蒂亚斯·巴格列托
10月7日（路透社）——周三，葡萄牙队长克里斯蒂亚诺·罗纳尔多暂时抛开足球界的一大宿敌之争，向莱昂内尔·梅西致敬。此前，这位阿根廷球星在动情地宣布退出国家队后表示，他已经开始想念代表国家出战的日子。
39岁的梅西周二身披阿根廷蓝白战袍，在布宜诺斯艾利斯纪念碑球场85000多名球迷面前，为阿根廷3-0战胜贝宁的友谊赛献上了一场精彩的告别演出，他贡献了一粒进球和两次助攻。这场友谊赛也成为了他非凡的21年国际职业生涯的庆祝。
“昨天是我最后一场比赛，我已经开始想念身穿蓝白战袍的日子了。我知道我做出了正确的决定，”梅西在Instagram上发表长文写道。“这是一段不可思议的旅程，充满了喜悦，也夹杂着些许悲伤，但我确信我走的每一步都值得……”
“我不想忘记迭戈（马拉多纳），他让我们的国家达到了它应有的高度，而且，正如我常说的，我知道他通过与我们同在，以及在天堂里，帮助我们走好每一步。”
“感谢我效力过的所有俱乐部，感谢你们始终尊重我的感受，让我能够在需要穿上国家队球衣的时候，全身心地为我的祖国效力……”
梅西担任队长，带领阿根廷队赢得了 2022 年世界杯冠军和 2021 年及 2024 年美洲杯冠军，同时还帮助球队赢得了 2022 年西班牙世界杯冠军。
“我很感激。我非常爱你们；我会想念你们，我会永远感谢你们一直陪伴在我们身边，陪伴在我身边，”这位迈阿密国际队的组织核心补充道。
梅西和罗纳尔多在他们辉煌的职业生涯中一直争夺着各自时代最伟大球员的称号，而这位41岁的葡萄牙前锋也对这条帖子做出了回应。
“莱奥，你为保卫祖国这么多年，创造了永载史册的历史。我对你为阿根廷所取得的成就致以最崇高的敬意。给你一个拥抱。”罗纳尔多说道。
与此同时，C罗突然离开国家队训练营，与葡萄牙队主教练豪尔赫·热苏斯陷入了争执。
（Pearl Josephine Nazare在班加罗尔报道，Toby Davis编辑）
感谢您的报告！