Lionel Messi is leaving international football with grace. Cristiano Ronaldo could never
COMMENT: Messi is retiring from international football at the right time, writes Will Castle, while his supposed ‘GOAT debate’ counterpart continues to chip away at his own legacy
Lionel Messi is bidding farewell to international football with a sense of grace, while Cristiano Ronaldo's career may not end as elegantly. The Argentine superstar, 39, announced his retirement after the 2026 World Cup, with the final match against Benin set to take place at the Estadio Monumental. Messi's retirement comes after a career marked by both triumphs and disappointments, including two Copa Americas, an Olympic gold medal, and a World Cup final loss to Spain.
Though he led Argentina to the finals twice and scored numerous goals, Messi's performance in the Qatar World Cup fell short of expectations. His retirement marks the end of a 21-year career, during which he has given everything to the national team. Meanwhile, Ronaldo's recent decision to remain in the Portuguese squad, despite being a substitute, has damaged his legacy as an international player. Messi's legacy, on the other hand, continues to shine brightly, even in the face of failure.
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