Lionel Messi Retires from Argentina Duty, Ending Ronaldo Farewell Hopes
Lionel Messi has ended his Argentina career in an October friendly against Benin, closing an international run that finished after the 2026 World Cup, the 2023 Finalissima and Copa América success in 2024.
The Argentina captain’s departure means the hoped-for final meeting with Cristiano Ronaldo will not take place. A Portugal-Argentina farewell fixture had been discussed as a possible closing chapter for the two defining players of their era, but the international calendar and Ronaldo’s uncertain position have ended that prospect.
Ronaldo’s Portugal future in doubt
Ronaldo had planned to leave Portugal duty after the World Cup and was reportedly considering a final appearance against Wales in a UEFA Nations League match in Lisbon. Jorge Jesus persuaded him to remain available for the national side, only for the relationship between the coach and the forward to deteriorate after two alleged broken promises.
The dispute has left Ronaldo facing the possibility that his Portugal career could finish without a planned farewell match. He had already won Euro 2016 and the 2019 UEFA Nations League before adding another Nations League title in 2025.
- Messi won the World Cup in Qatar in 2022, following his 2021 Copa América triumph.
- Ronaldo and Messi spent nine seasons as La Liga rivals with Real Madrid and Barcelona.
- Messi collected eight Ballons d’Or, while Ronaldo won five.
- Both later moved away from European club football, with Messi in the United States and Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia.
What happens next
Portugal must now clarify whether Ronaldo remains in the squad or has effectively played his last international. There is no available window for the long-discussed Argentina meeting: the most recent international break was occupied entirely by UEFA Nations League commitments.
A neutral-site finale, potentially at Wembley or in Spain, could have avoided either player ending his career on the other’s home ground. But it would also have denied Messi and Ronaldo a goodbye in Argentina or Portugal. Messi’s Benin appearance has now removed that possibility altogether.
