Cristiano Ronaldo ends international career as Messi had three months earlier

Cristiano Ronaldo has called time on his international career, the article reported on November 05, 2026, noting that Lionel Messi had done the same three months earlier.

The piece observed the abrupt absence these departures will leave, writing, "How could it be, without the genius of Messi that creates something out of nothing and the force, pace and the brutal elegance of Ronaldo?" It went on to state, "International football will never quite be the same again." Those lines framed the account of two leading players stepping away from international duty within a short span.

"First Lionel Messi. Now Cristiano Ronaldo. Within a space of three months, two of the all-time greats have called time on their international careers," the article stated, presenting the retirements as closely linked events.

A photograph accompanying the piece showed Cristiano Ronaldo kissing the trophy at the end of the Euro 2016 final between Portugal and France at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, on Sunday, July 10, 2016. The caption credited AP for the image, underlining a moment referenced in the text.

The report was published on November 05, 2026 at 07:16 pm IST and subsequently updated on November 05, 2026 at 07:31 pm IST.