Brazilian football icon Ronaldo Nazario, more popularly known as ‘El Fenomeno’, has candidly admitted that his admiration for Lionel Messi’s resounding World Cup success saw him set aside his nation’s rivalry with their South American neighbors Argentina after their South American rivals won football’s most coveted international trophy.
Messi scored twice in Argentina’s astounding World Cup final triumph over an intensely resilient France selection spearheaded by an indomitable Kylian Mbappe and the Argentine talisman also found the net in the dramatic penalty shootout at the end of the encounter, providing his other penalty-takers with the much-needed inspiration to make their spot kicks count.
Argentina finally were able to gloriously lift the elusive trophy for the first time since 1986 and became the first South American nation to win the competition since Brazil’s success in 2002. Which would actually serve as a stinging slap in the face for a certain cocky France star who had not long ago bragged that the Europeans were more naturally suited than the South Americans to win the World Cup as the former are supposedly tougher and better-equipped for the task.
Brazil were unceremoniously dumped out of the tournament at the quarter-final stage after capitalizing to Croatia in a penalty shootout. After that outcome, the great El Fenomeno relented and openly set aside the intense rivalry between the two South American giants in the closing games of the tournaments.
“But, you know, we have a great rivalry between Brazil and Argentina. But I will not be that much of a hypocrite to say I will be happy for Argentina because it’s not true. But, of course, I see football as a romantic. Of course, I will accept (an Argentine triumph) and I will enjoy any champion.”
In the aftermath of the final, Ronaldo wrote on his Instagram account, alongside a photo of Messi lifting the trophy: “This guy’s football throws any rivalry to the corner – even the historic one between Brazil and Argentina. I saw a lot of Brazilians – and people from all over the world – rooting for Messi in this electrifying final.
“A farewell worthy of the genius who, far beyond being a World Cup star, captained an era. I imagine my friend Diego’s party in heaven. Here, we are millions of all nationalities giving you a standing ovation. Congratulations Messi!”
Messi has allegedly played his final World Cup match regardless of the final outcome, having previously clarified he would not be returning for the 2026 edition. Whether he sees it fit somewhere later in time to change his mind is left to be seen, but it is certainly fitting that he finally was able to lif the trophy that had been conspicuously absent in his cabinet in his storied career so far.