Cristiano Ronaldo told Lionel Messi he had “made history that will last forever” after the Argentine’s final game against Benin.
The match in Buenos Aires was Messi’s 208th appearance for Argentina. The hosts beat Benin 3-0, with Messi scoring from the penalty spot and providing two assists. It was his 126th goal for the national team, the Associated Press reported.
“Leo, you’ve fought for your country for so many years and made history that will last forever. All my respect for what you’ve achieved with Argentina. A hug,” Ronaldo wrote in a comment on Messi’s Instagram post. Cadena SER and Hungary’s 24.hu also reported the message.
Messi and Ronaldo were often compared by statistics and achievements throughout their careers. 24.hu noted that their public comments about one another have remained respectful.