Lineker Criticizes Ronaldo’s Tumultuous International Farewell Amid Messi’s Celebratory Send-Off

Gary Lineker laments Cristiano Ronaldo's acrimonious exit from Portugal's national team, contrasting it with Lionel Messi's emotional farewell in Argentina.

Editorial Desk

October 7, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — LONDON, United Kingdom — Former England striker Gary Lineker expressed disappointment over the contentious conclusion of Cristiano Ronaldo’s international career, highlighting the stark contrast between the Portuguese star’s departure and Lionel Messi’s celebratory send-off for Argentina.

Ronaldo, 41, recently issued a detailed statement explaining his abrupt exit from the Portugal squad, citing broken promises by coach Jorge Jesus. Meanwhile, Messi, 39, played a pivotal role in a 3-0 friendly victory against Benin, scoring one goal and assisting on two others in what marked his final appearance in the iconic blue and white jersey.

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Lineker, who scored 48 goals for England, called for a more dignified farewell for Ronaldo, noting that the forward’s legacy as Portugal’s all-time top scorer with 146 goals deserves recognition. He praised Messi’s emotional goodbye in Buenos Aires, saying it was “beautiful” and something Ronaldo should have received. The discussion also touched on England captain Harry Kane, who matched Peter Shilton’s record of 125 international appearances and extended his goal tally to 91 in a 3-0 win over the Czech Republic.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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