Cristiano Ronaldo’s heartfelt message to Lionel Messi following the death of Messi’s father, Jorge Messi, created a remarkable moment of sportsmanship outside of football. Ronaldo’s response to Messi’s emotional Instagram post has reportedly become the most liked comment ever on the social media platform, surpassing 6.4 million likes in a matter of days.
Messi announced the death of his father, Jorge Messi, at the age of 68, in an emotional post on Instagram. The Argentine star spoke about his father’s presence throughout his football journey and shared with us how difficult it is to imagine life without him.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a favorite source.
Among the many messages of support and condolences, Ronaldo’s response stood out. The Portuguese football icon wrote a short but deeply personal message to his long-time rival: “A big hug to you and your family in these difficult times Leo. Lots of strength.”
The message quickly attracted millions of likes, highlighting the massive global following of both football stars. Despite their legendary rivalry on the pitch, Ronaldo and Messi have repeatedly shown mutual respect throughout their careers.
Ronaldo’s comment reportedly surpassed 6.4 million likes, making it the most liked comment on Instagram at the time of reporting. This achievement also surpassed the previous record set by Ronaldo.
His previous record came in 2024 when he congratulated French striker Kylian Mbappe on his move to Real Madrid. Ronaldo wrote a letter expressing his happiness at seeing Mbappe playing at the Santiago Bernabéu. This comment later surpassed six million likes.
The recent interaction between Ronaldo and Messi has once again captured the attention of football fans around the world. Their rivalry, which has dominated the sport for more than a decade, has often been defined by exceptional performances, record-breaking achievements and competition for the biggest individual honours.
However, moments like Ronaldo’s message show another side of their relationship. Away from the pressures of football, the two stars acknowledged each other’s achievements and shared moments of mutual respect.
Messi’s tribute to his father also provided a rare glimpse into the personal side of one of football’s most iconic figures. In his emotional letter, he recalled the role his father played since the beginning of his career, and expressed his sadness at the loss of someone who had been by his side throughout his journey.
Ronaldo’s simple response resonated with millions of people because it focused not on football competition, records or trophies, but on compassion during a difficult personal moment.
The episode demonstrates the extraordinary reach both players have on social media. A few words from Ronaldo to Messi were enough to spark millions of interactions, and it became a record moment on Instagram.
For fans, the exchange was a powerful reminder that one of football’s greatest rivalries can exist side by side with true respect and compassion.
