Messi given emotional farewell in Buenos Aires as Ronaldo issues long statement accusing Portugal coach of 'absolute breach of trust'

On an emotional night in Buenos Aires, Lionel Messi ended his international career with a goal against Benin as he received a grand farewell from the home crowd, while about 6,000 miles away Cristiano Ronaldo published an almost-2,000 word Instagram statement accusing Portugal manager Jorge Jesus of an "absolute breach of trust" after leaving the national team camp.

Messi's final appearance came in front of an 85,000 sellout crowd at the Monumental, where the 39-year-old — who announced his international retirement in August after Argentina finished runners-up at the World Cup and following the death of his father Jorge — scored and then addressed supporters in a near-10 minute speech, saying: "There are so many emotions going through me right now," and "The first person who comes to my mind is my dad." He added: "I leave grateful, proud and at peace. Thank you for everything." Some team-mates were in tears during the farewell.

Cristiano Ronaldo left Portugal's Nations League camp after being an unused substitute in the win over Norway and then learning he would not start against Denmark, and subsequently released a lengthy statement on social media in which he said Jesus had twice "broke his word" and accused him of an "absolute breach of trust" for first not playing him against Norway and then reversing a decision over what would be presented to the media.

In his statement Ronaldo apologised to fans and team-mates for leaving the camp and said the consequences of that must be "assessed and punished," while also rejecting any suggestion he had played his last match for Portugal, writing: "We will have one or more farewell matches, there will be time for that." Manager Jorge Jesus said the door remains open for Ronaldo to return if he chooses to, and Jesus reportedly had not seen Ronaldo's statement because he was watching the Portugal under-21 game.

Portuguese journalist Jose Delgado told BBC Radio 5 Live: "I don't think there is a way back. In the statement, Ronaldo says he will return to the national team but at the same time he calls Jesus a liar three times." Delgado added: "In the polls in Portugal made about this issue, only 15% of the Portuguese were on Ronaldo's side and people think we owe him a lot but his time is already done and he must understand it." He also said: "What Ronaldo did for Portuguese football is unique and incredible and we must thank him for all the service he gave to Portugal. But at 41, he has no place in the best XI of Portugal."

Public reaction in Portugal was visibly divided: billboards in Lisbon carried messages in Portuguese reading, "Thank you Cristiano Ronaldo for everything you did for Portugal. You will always be our captain. Jorge Jesus was not up to the task. Lack of sensitivity. Treating a captain wrongly. Inflated ego." At the Denmark game some supporters wore T-shirts spelling out 'Love you Jesus' while others were head-to-toe in Ronaldo merchandise.

Ronaldo, an Al-Nassr forward, has scored 146 goals in 234 Portugal appearances — figures the article describes as world records — and helped his country win Euro 2016 and the Nations League twice. The piece notes he currently has 979 goals for club and country and states: "It seems unlikely that Ronaldo will voluntarily retire from the national team before he hits the elusive 1,000 goal mark he is chasing for club and country."

Messi departs as Argentina's record appearance-maker and goal-scorer and will continue his club career with Inter Miami; the article also reports he owns Spanish clubs UE Cornella and CD Eldense, is a partner in the restaurant chain El Club de la Milanesa, has a lifetime deal with Adidas, a collection with Stanley and investments in property and hotels, and that he has completed the purchase of a second Spanish club. Coach Lionel Scaloni has said that if Messi ever wants to carry on he can, though football expert Guillem Balague commented: "Coach Lionel Scaloni insists that if Messi ever wants to carry on, he can, and there is no embarrassment in changing one's mind. But that chapter seems closed."