New Delhi, Oct. 1 -- Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi's rivalry is one of the most iconic stories in the history of sports, and their exits from their national teams in the span of a week once again reflects the eternal contrasts between arguably the two greatest footballers of the 21st century.

While Lionel Messi will be celebrated by Argentina and the world of football as he steps into the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires against Benin, Ronaldo has had an unceremonious exit from Portugal after he was told that he would be benched during their Nations League match against Denmark.

Although it is not clear if Ronaldo has already played his last game in the red-and-green of Portugal, a return for him looks unlikely, even more so when...