Did he leave through the back door? Cristiano Ronaldo's controversial farewell sparks comparisons to Messi

After 23 years with the Portuguese national team, Cristiano Ronaldo said goodbye to international soccer, but his farewell was not what one would expect from a sports legend who has broken Guinness records and been one of the highest scorers in history.

The end of a story was announced simply as: “Today my journey with the national team comes to an end,” even though his fans agree there could have been a farewell match, a tribute, or one of the great exhibitions he used to give on the field when he scored.

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Hours after announcing his retirement, it has been commented on social media and in the global specialized press that Cristiano Ronaldo could not retire with the “elegance” that his colleague Lionel Messi did just a month ago in the Argentina vs. Benin match at the Estadio Monumental.

The outlet The Independent accused Cristiano of not retiring as an “undisputed hero” like Messi did, noting that he threw a “tantrum” after the Portuguese team did not take him into account in recent matches, leading him to even abandon training during the Nations League. It even said he behaved like a “spoiled teenager” and a “troubled child.”

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At the time, Cristiano commented on his departure from the training camp: “In due time, I will tell all the Portuguese people the truth about the reasons that motivated my departure from the national team.”

It should be remembered that, after leaving the training camp in the Nations League, Cristiano Ronaldo was sanctioned with a 30-day suspension and a fine of 255 euros. In this context, it was learned that manager Jorge Jesús left him on the bench without minutes in the match against Norway, despite having him warm up.

Following this, heading into the match against Denmark, it was announced that Cristiano would not be a starter, a fact that led him to make the decision to abandon the camp and the Nations League.

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In addition to media opinions, internet users have also compared his farewell to Messi’s, highlighting that the Portuguese player will never know what it is like to say goodbye with a crowd cheering and celebrating a career of over two decades.

“Even in the way they retire, the difference and level of the two is shown. Messi retired from the national team at the highest level, being loved and cheered. Cristiano retires from the team being a substitute, throwing a tantrum, and leaving through the back door,” wrote one user on X.

This is how Cristiano Ronaldo said goodbye to the Portugal national team

“For the Portuguese people, the day has come to return the number seven jersey of our national team. I never felt it belonged only to me, but for 23 years I had the privilege and responsibility to wear it, defend it, and carry it with me to stadiums around the world,” he said in a video posted on Instagram.

“Today the time has come to pass it on to the future. It was not an easy decision, because some decisions are not made only with the mind, but also with the heart,” he added.

“Portugal will always be in me.”

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