\n<\/p>\n
Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo set aside one of soccer\u2019s great rivalries on Wednesday to pay tribute to Lionel Messi after the Argentine said he already missed representing \u200bhis country following his emotional international retirement.<\/strong><\/p>\n Messi, 39, delivered one final masterclass in \u200cArgentina\u2019s 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\u2019 Monumental Stadium, where his farewell \u200bbecame a celebration of an extraordinary 21-year international career.<\/p>\n \u201cYesterday was my last \u200bgame, and I already miss wearing the blue and white. I know \u2060I\u2019m making the right decision,\u201d Messi said in a lengthy Instagram post. \u201cIt\u2019s been an \u200bincredible journey, full of joy and also some sadness, but I know for sure \u200bthat every step I took was worth it\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t 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 \u200bbeing here with us and also from heaven, with every step we took.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you \u200bto the clubs where I played, for always respecting my feelings and allowing me to dedicate \u200cmyself to \u2060my country whenever it was time to put on the national team jersey\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cI am grateful. I love you all \u200bvery much; I\u2019m going \u200bto miss you, \u2060and I will always thank you for having been by our side, by my side,\u201d the Inter Miami playmaker added.<\/p>\n Messi and Ronaldo \u200bhave vied for recognition as the greatest player of their generation \u200bthroughout their \u2060illustrious careers, with the 41-year-old Portuguese forward among those to respond to the post.<\/p>\n \u201cLeo, after so many years of defending your country, you\u2019ve made history that will last forever. I \u2060have \u200bthe utmost respect for what you\u2019ve accomplished with Argentina. \u200bA hug,\u201d Ronaldo said.<\/p>\n Ronaldo, meanwhile, is embroiled in a dispute with Portugal coach Jorge Jesus following his abrupt departure \u200bfrom the national team\u2019s training camp.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n