Ronaldo stays with Portugal as Messi closes Argentina chapter
Cristiano Ronaldo has ruled out retiring from international football despite a dispute with Portugal coach Jorge Jesus, saying he intends to return to the national team after serving any suspension for leaving the training camp.
Ronaldo acknowledged that walking out was wrong and apologized to his teammates and supporters, but said the decision followed what he described as repeated broken promises by Jesus over his playing time.
The Portugal captain said Jesus had initially agreed that he would not play in away matches against Norway and Denmark. However, Ronaldo said the coach later asked whether he could play 30 minutes against Norway.
Ronaldo agreed and warmed up at halftime but was not brought onto the pitch.
“The coach had broken his word to me,” Ronaldo said.
He said a subsequent agreement for Jesus to publicly explain the situation was also not honored, leading Ronaldo to leave the camp.
Ronaldo says national team future remains
Despite his criticism of Jesus, Ronaldo accepted full responsibility for his departure and apologized for abandoning the squad and for not greeting supporters after the Norway match.
He said the Portuguese Football Federation should determine any punishment, adding that his status as captain should be considered when deciding the disciplinary response.
Ronaldo had previously considered ending his international career after the 2026 World Cup but said he changed his mind following a request from the federation president to continue.
The 41-year-old said his focus remains on competing for Portugal, making clear that the dispute with Jesus has not changed his intention to represent the national team.
Messi ends 21-year Argentina career
While Ronaldo is preparing to continue with Portugal, Lionel Messi has brought his international career to an end after more than two decades with Argentina.
Messi made his final appearance for the national team against Benin at Buenos Aires’ Monumental Stadium, following his decision to retire after Argentina’s defeat by Spain in the 2026 World Cup final.
The 39-year-old leaves as Argentina’s record appearance-maker and leading scorer, with 207 caps and 125 goals.
From uncertainty to world champion
Messi’s international journey began after he moved from Rosario to Spain as a teenager and joined Barcelona’s youth system.
Argentina officials became increasingly interested in him in the early 2000s, while Spain was also monitoring the young player.
He eventually made his Argentina Under-20 debut against Paraguay in 2004, scoring twice after coming off the bench. A year later, he led Argentina to the Under-20 World Cup title, winning the tournament’s Golden Boot and best-player award.
His senior career began with disappointment. Messi was sent off within a minute of coming on against Hungary in 2005, but he soon established himself as one of Argentina’s leading players.
He appeared at the 2006 World Cup at 18 and scored against Serbia and Montenegro before Argentina were eliminated by Germany.
Years of final defeats
Messi endured a series of major disappointments with Argentina, losing the 2007 Copa America final to Brazil and suffering further setbacks at the 2010 World Cup and 2011 Copa America.
Argentina reached the 2014 World Cup final under Messi’s captaincy but lost 1-0 to Germany after extra time.
Back-to-back Copa America final defeats against Chile followed in 2015 and 2016. After the second loss, Messi announced his retirement from international football.
His retirement lasted only weeks, and he returned after talks with Argentina coach Edgardo Bauza.
Titles finally changed the story
Messi’s international career changed dramatically in 2021, when Argentina defeated Brazil 1-0 at the Maracana to win the Copa America.
A year later came the defining achievement.
Argentina defeated France on penalties after a 3-3 draw in the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar. Messi scored twice and converted his penalty in the shootout to finally become a world champion at 35.
Argentina added another Copa America title in 2024, defeating Colombia after extra time.
Messi’s final World Cup ended in 2026 with a 1-0 extra-time defeat to Spain in the final, denying him another world title.
He subsequently confirmed his international retirement, saying he had given everything he could to Argentina and that the time had come for younger players.
Two careers reach different crossroads
Ronaldo remains committed to Portugal despite his dispute with the national team coach, while Messi has completed his international career after overcoming years of criticism and repeated final defeats.
Messi leaves with a World Cup, two Copa America titles and a Finalissima, while Ronaldo says his immediate ambition remains the same: to return to Portugal and compete for more international success.
Source:turkiyetoday
