Twitter Gets Emotional As Messi, Ronaldo Bid Farewell to World Cup

Given their ages - Messi is 31 and Ronaldo 33 - this could be the last the world sees of the pair at the World Cup.

(Photo: AP)

The World Cup lost its headline acts on Saturday as the game's two biggest stars, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, readied to leave Russia after their teams were eliminated in the round of 16.

Messi's Argentina lost 4-3 to France and hours later Ronaldo's Portugal went down 2-1 to Uruguay, leaving the tournament without its two best known and most loved players.

Given their ages - Messi is 31 and Ronaldo 33 - this could be the last the world sees of the pair, who have monopolised the world player of the year award for the last 10 years, on the biggest stage of all.

Here’s a look at how Twitter reacted to the twin shock from Russia.

If Barcelona forward Messi, who previously quit the Argentina team in 2016 before changing his mind, does not continue until the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, he will end his career without a major trophy for his country.

While Real Madrid's Ronaldo will also be bitterly disappointed to be heading home earlier than planned from Russia, he at least has the consolation of having won his country's first ever European Championship, two years ago in France.

While most people were emotional after both the matches, many people looked at the lighter side of the two loses.

(With inputs from Reuters)

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