Cristiano Ronaldo has sent a sweet message to heartbroken rival Lionel Messi following the tragic death of his father, The Sun reports.

Jorge, 68, passed away after a long illness last week – with Messi sharing a 599-word statement earlier on Wednesday.

And Ronaldo – putting aside his decades-long rivalry with fellow GOAT candidate Messi – immediately replied to share a touching message.

The Portugal legend wrote: “Huge hug to you and your loved ones in this difficult moment, Leo.

“Stay strong.”

Messi’s heartbreaking statement read: “Dad, I still can’t believe that you’ve gone. I don’t fall, or rather, I don’t want to fall.

“It’s very hard for me to imagine that I’m not going to see you anymore, that we’re not going to talk anymore.

Also Read: I Don’t Know What I’m Going To Do Without You —Messi Pens Emotional Tribute To Late Father

“I know you were suffering and that it’s for the best, but you left too soon. We still had a lot left to enjoy together.

“You asked me so much to play in the last World Cup, and it was in the days just before it started that you got the worst…”

He added: “I don’t know what I’m going to do without you, I don’t know how to go on.

“I only played football and now I have quite a few doubts about whether I’ll keep doing it for much longer.

“You were by my side from the beginning; there was so little left until the end.

“Why couldn’t you hold on that little bit more so we could finish together?

“I know your happiness was seeing your family well, your wife, your children, and above all, without the others finding out, watching me play… It was always like that since I was little.”

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