Lionel Messi retiring from international football could be just the boost Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal needed in their quest for a first-ever senior trophy at Euro 2016. It’s no secret that the individual rivalry motivates Ronaldo; indeed fans here in France and all over the world have taunted the three-time Ballon d’Or winner with chants of “Messi, Messi, Messi” in full knowledge that it rankles. Messi departs the Argentina scene without having won a senior title and now Ronaldo knows he has a chance to do something his great adversary never will – lead his nation to glory.
