SIMPLY APPRECIATE THEM
Few things highlight the dramatic contrasts of sport better than the departures of two players who have defined modern football. While one continues to approach his international exit amid resentment, theatrics and public frustration, the other offered—at least for the most part—a far more graceful farewell. Aside from the slightly awkward moment when a touching drone display above Buenos Aires became an advertisement for an insurance company, Lionel Messi’s final appearance for Argentina felt like an ideal closing scene.
A packed stadium enjoyed fireworks, presentations and a moving “Gracias No 10” banner before Argentina faced Benin in a friendly. The visitors proved accommodating as Argentina secured a comfortable victory, although goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou seemed determined to prevent Messi from scoring on his farewell. When the goal finally arrived from the penalty spot, the stadium erupted with noise, emotion and tears. It was difficult to tell whether the supporters or the insurance company’s publicity team were celebrating more intensely.
Messi’s extended goodbye has been treated with extraordinary ceremony, but Cristiano Ronaldo’s final chapter at international level increasingly looks like an angry protest over not getting his own way. After leaving the Portugal camp and promising to reveal “the truth”, Ronaldo presented himself like a persecuted whistleblower rather than a 41-year-old star unhappy about not receiving the expected opportunity from the bench. In a lengthy and often contradictory statement posted online, he described the collapse of an agreed “30-minute minute-management strategy” with Portugal coach Jorge Jesus as though it were an offence of historic importance.
The most remarkable part of Ronaldo’s written complaint was an extravagant eight-point declaration that Jesus had supposedly agreed to deliver on his behalf. The 72-year-old coach wisely decided against publicly flattering the veteran forward and discarded the proposed script. “I read his statement,” Jesus told reporters gathered outside his home. “As I do every day, I will now go to the Portuguese federation, work and focus on the team and the national squad. I have nothing else to add. Thank you.”
That response neatly captures the contrast between the two footballers. For more than two decades, supporters have debated which of them was superior, but their recent behaviour merely reinforces the personalities they have displayed throughout their careers. Messi’s departure was emotional and carefully arranged, with only a small amount of corporate interference. Ronaldo’s farewell has instead become a story of a self-declared victim inviting criticism while supplying his detractors with ammunition. Every sporting legend must eventually answer the final call: they can finish with dignity and walk out through the main entrance, or keep demanding one more chance until they are removed through the back door.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“I had several chances to move on and could have departed under many different circumstances. However, I always knew that I wanted to leave in the right way, with the club in a strong position, back in the Premier League and ready to build toward what I hope will be a highly successful period” – Kieran McKenna explains to Nick Ames why he departed Ipswich following promotion and discusses his ambitions for the future.
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