Cristiano Ronaldo has sent a message of support to Lionel Messi following the death of Messi's father, Jorge Messi, at age 68.
The Portuguese forward commented on an emotional Instagram tribute published by Messi, who admitted that he doubted he could continue playing football without his father.
In his message, Ronaldo offered a huge hug to Messi and his loved ones during the difficult time and urged the Argentine captain to stay strong.
The public show of support quickly resonated with sports fans across the globe, gathering more than one million likes and approximately 20,000 replies on the social media platform.
Shared History of Loss and Football Rivalry
Jorge Messi passed away on Saturday, August 8, 2026, at the age of 68. He had served as a central figure throughout his son's career, acting as his primary advisor and manager from his early playing days in Rosario, Argentina, through his rise to international stardom.
Ronaldo's message carries personal resonance, as the former Real Madrid forward also suffered the loss of his father at a young age. Ronaldo's father, Jose Dinis Aveiro, died in 2005 when the footballer was 21 years old and developing his career at Manchester United.
The gesture highlights the mutual respect between two athletes who dominated global football for more than a decade. For roughly ten years, Ronaldo and Messi engaged in one of the most intense individual rivalries in sports history while competing at the highest level in Spain and international tournaments.
Impact Across World Football
Messi, who won the 2022 FIFA World Cup with Argentina and spent the majority of his career with FC Barcelona, shared his grief publicly after his father's passing, prompting widespread tributes from fellow professionals and supporters worldwide.
Ronaldo, who currently plays for Al Nassr and leads the Portugal national team, has frequently spoken about how personal bereavement shaped his early maturity on and off the pitch.
The supportive exchange between the two icons marks a poignant moment of solidarity between two players whose achievements have defined modern football culture.
