Achraf Hakimi Pays Tribute to Cristiano Ronaldo After Portugal Farewell
Morocco and Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi has shared a heartfelt message for Cristiano Ronaldo following the Portuguese forward’s announcement that he is ending his international career. Rather than offering a simple farewell, Hakimi chose a photograph that recalled the first time the two players met on football’s biggest stage: Morocco’s match against Portugal at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
In a post on his official Instagram account, Hakimi shared an image of himself alongside Ronaldo and wrote: “Thank you for everything, Cristiano, a legend who will remain forever in the history of football.” The message captured the respect Ronaldo has earned from teammates, opponents and younger generations of players throughout his remarkable career.
A World Cup Memory Between Hakimi and Ronaldo
The photograph dates from the group-stage meeting between Morocco and Portugal at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Portugal secured a narrow 1–0 victory, with Ronaldo scoring the decisive goal in the fourth minute. The forward rose to meet a cross and sent a header into the net, giving his team three important points in a tightly contested match.
For Morocco, the defeat was a painful one. The Atlas Lions had already lost their opening game and, after falling to Portugal, were eliminated before their final group fixture. The result did not reflect a lack of effort: Morocco created pressure and made the European champions work for the win, but Ronaldo’s early strike proved impossible to overcome.
Hakimi started the match, one of his first appearances at a senior World Cup. Ronaldo, by contrast, was already an established international icon, competing in his fourth tournament for Portugal. The image shared years later therefore represents more than a single result. It captures a meeting between a rising Moroccan talent and a player who had spent much of his career setting the standard for international football.
From a Young World Cup Defender to a Global Star
Since that tournament, Hakimi has developed into one of the most prominent full-backs in the game. Known for his pace, forward runs and ability to contribute in attack, he has become a key figure for both Morocco and PSG. His tribute also reflects the way Ronaldo’s influence extends across generations: players who once faced him as emerging talents now acknowledge the example he set over two decades.
Ronaldo’s International Career: Records and Major Titles
Ronaldo’s international journey began in August 2003, when he made his debut for Portugal as a teenager. Over the following 23 years, he became the most capped player in men’s international football, making 234 appearances and scoring 146 goals. Those figures place him at the top of the all-time lists for both appearances and goals in the men’s game.
His impact was not limited to individual records. Ronaldo captained Portugal to the 2016 UEFA European Championship, the country’s first major international title. He later helped Portugal win the UEFA Nations League in 2019 and again in 2025, adding further silverware to a national team that had long pursued success on the biggest stages.
Ronaldo also made history at the World Cup. He became the first player to score in six different editions of the tournament, a milestone that underlined his extraordinary longevity at the highest level. Across changing generations, managers and tactical systems, he remained a central figure for Portugal and a constant presence in major international competitions.
International Retirement Does Not Mean the End of His Playing Career
Ronaldo’s decision marks the end of his time representing Portugal, but it does not mean he is retiring from football altogether. He continues to play at club level for Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr, where he remains one of the sport’s most closely followed figures. The distinction is important for supporters: the international chapter is closing, while his professional club career continues.
For Portugal, the transition will bring a significant change. Ronaldo has been a defining presence in the national team for more than two decades, serving as captain, leading scorer and a focal point in attack. The team will now have to build its identity without the player who has carried its hopes through multiple European Championships and World Cups.
That shift also creates an opportunity for a new generation of Portuguese players to take on greater responsibility. While no single footballer can simply replace Ronaldo’s influence, the next phase will be shaped by how the squad distributes leadership, creativity and goals among its emerging stars.
A Farewell That Resonates Across Football
Hakimi’s tribute is a reminder that Ronaldo’s legacy is measured not only in statistics and trophies, but also in the respect he commands among fellow professionals. The 2018 photograph links two careers at different stages: Hakimi was beginning his World Cup story, while Ronaldo was already one of the tournament’s most recognizable figures.
Looking ahead, football fans will continue to debate how Portugal can adapt without its record-setting captain and whether Ronaldo’s international achievements will remain unmatched for years to come. Any prediction about future records is uncertain, but his combination of longevity, goals and major titles has created a standard that will be difficult to equal.
As Ronaldo turns the page on his Portugal career, Hakimi’s simple message speaks to a much wider feeling across the game. His international journey has produced unforgettable moments, historic milestones and lasting influence. Whatever comes next at club level, his name is firmly established among the defining figures in the history of football.
