On a night where one football legend received a grand farewell from his country, about 6,000 miles away, another released a lengthy statement discussing all the ways in which he had been wronged by his national team coach. Argentina great Lionel Messi took the adulation of the crowd in Buenos Aires as his glittering international career ended with a goal against Benin on an emotional night. Meanwhile, Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo released a statement on social media, accusing manager Jorge Jesus of an "absolute breach of trust" while admitting he should be held accountable for his own actions.
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid forward left his country's Nations League camp last week after being an unused substitute against Norway and then finding out he would not start against Denmark. Portuguese journalist Jose Delgado says "things will never be the same again" for Ronaldo and Portugal - so is this the beginning of the end? Jesus has said the door is open for Ronaldo to return to the national team, but is it?
Or will this saga continue, potentially closing the book on the international career of one of the greatest players of all time? BBC Sport takes a look at what could be the end of the international careers of two football greats. Listen: Sporting Giants - Messi v Ronaldo The Ronaldo saga has been rumbling on for some time, with many fans critical of former Portugal boss Roberto Martinez's insistence on starting Ronaldo at this summer's World Cup.
At 41 years old, Ronaldo is not the dynamic player he once was and many suggested his presence hindered the team rather than helped. However, things came to a head on Sunday when Ronaldo was an unused substitute in the Nations League win over Norway. The player subsequently left camp after finding out he would not start against Denmark in November.
On Tuesday, Ronaldo released an almost-2,000 word statement on Instagram in which he said Jesus had twice "broke his word" and accused him of an "absolute breach of trust" for firstly not playing him against Norway after saying he would, before going back on a decision to present an agreed version of events to the media. Ronaldo apologised to fans and team-mates for leaving the camp and said the consequences of that must be "assessed and punished" while also dismissing any suggestion that he had played his last match for Portugal. "We will have one or more farewell matches, there will be time for that," the statement said.
Manager Jesus said on Sunday the door remains open for Ronaldo to return if he chooses to, but many are suggesting the damage is already done. Ronaldo wants Portugal 'punishment' but not retiring Portuguese football journalist Delgado told BBC Radio 5 Live: "I don't think there is a way back. In the statement, Ronaldo says he will return to the national team but at the same time he calls Jesus a liar three times.
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