‘Cristiano deserves the same’: Gary Lineker laments Ronaldo’s Portugal final compared to Messi’s farewell

File images: Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi (Agency Image) Former England forward Gary Lineker has expressed his sadness at the way Cristiano Ronaldo’s international career appears to be ending, saying the Portuguese great deserves a farewell similar to the emotional scenes that marked Lionel Messi’s final appearance for Argentina.Ronaldo, 41, left the Portugal camp last week amid a row with coach Jorge Jesus and subsequently issued a lengthy statement explaining his decision. Meanwhile, Messi retired from international football with a memorable performance in Argentina’s 3-0 friendly win over Benin, scoring one goal and setting up two more in front of an emotional home crowd.The contrast prompted Lineker to reflect on how two of the greatest players of their generation approached the final chapters of their international careers.

“Cristiano deserves the same”

“I think it’s a bit sad because he was so great. And at the end of the day in five years, in 10 years nobody will remember that. We’ll just remember how great he was,” Lineker said at the sports industry conference Leaders Week at Stamford Bridge, according to Reuters.“But I think if you look at Messi’s farewell, it was so beautiful. And I think Cristiano deserves the same.”Messi, 39, ended a 21-year international career with 126 goals, two Copa América titles and a World Cup triumph. His final appearance in Argentina turned into an emotional celebration as supporters bid farewell to a player whose relationship with the country has evolved from years of intense scrutiny to widespread adoration.Ronaldo and Messi have been compared throughout their careers in the debate about the best player of their generation. Messi has won the Ballon d’Or eight times to Ronaldo’s five, while Ronaldo remains Portugal’s record goalscorer with 146 international goals.

Lineker hails ‘incredible’ Kane

Lineker also praised England captain Harry Kane, who equaled a national record of 125 caps against the Czech Republic and took his England goals tally to 91 in the 3-0 win.Asked if Kane was among England’s best players, Lineker said: “I think he would have to be in that conversation. Probably along with Bobby Charlton and maybe even Bobby Moore. I mean, look at his record, it’s unbelievable.”“He’s not just a goalscorer, he’s not just a boxer like I was. He’s so much more than that. He can drop deep, spray passes everywhere, score all kinds of goals, with both feet, with his head, he’s got everything,” he added.Lineker, who scored 48 goals for England, echoed the view that Kane’s all-round contribution ranks him among the country’s all-time greats.