Cristiano Ronaldo has reported a breakdown in trust with his national coach, while Lionel Messi has played his final match for Argentina.

Key facts
- •Lionel Messi scored his 126th goal in his 208th and final appearance for Argentina during a 3-0 win against Benin.
- •Cristiano Ronaldo is currently on 979 career goals and has previously stated an aim to reach 1,000.
- •Ronaldo left the Portugal camp after being asked to warm up as a substitute against Norway without being used in the match.
- •Ronaldo has previously experienced documented fallouts with managers including Jose Mourinho, Erik ten Hag, and Fernando Santos.
- •Messi led Argentina to the 2026 World Cup final, scoring eight goals during the tournament.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, two of football's most prominent figures, have reached significant milestones with their respective national teams. Ronaldo has publicly cited an "absolute breakdown of trust" with Portugal coach Jorge Jesus following a recent match against Norway, while Lionel Messi has concluded his international career with Argentina.
By the numbers
Ronaldo's conflict with Portugal management
The 41-year-old striker, who plays for Al-Nassr, left the Portugal team camp after being asked to warm up as a substitute during a match against Norway without being brought onto the field. Ronaldo issued a 2,000-word statement acknowledging that he should not have walked away, but he maintained that the coach had broken his word, which he described as having a "defining impact." Ronaldo stated that he felt his presence would harm the group if he did not feel useful, leading him to leave the camp. While he apologized to the Portuguese public, he indicated that he intends to play in one or more farewell matches in the future, though his immediate return to the national team remains uncertain.
Messi concludes international career
Lionel Messi, currently playing for Inter Miami, announced his departure from international football following a 3-0 victory over Benin. During the match, which was attended by 80,000 fans, Messi scored a penalty, marking his 126th goal in 208 appearances for Argentina. Reflecting on his career, Messi expressed that leaving the national team is "deeply painful" and described playing for Argentina as the "most beautiful thing" that can happen to a player. He noted that he would like to play for the rest of his life if possible.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Deutsche Welle Sports.

