Argentina and Portugal face early setbacks in new era without their iconic captains

Argentina and Portugal both suffered defeats in their first matches since Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo ended their international careers, underlining the challenge facing the two sides without the players who defined their most successful periods.

Argentina were beaten 2-1 by Uruguay in a friendly at La Bombonera in Buenos Aires, while Portugal lost 4-1 at home to Denmark in the Nations League on Saturday.

The defeat was Argentina’s first match since Messi retired from international football. Uruguay took the lead three minutes after half-time when Leonardo Balerdi scored an own goal, before Maximiliano Araujo doubled their advantage in the 53rd minute.

Julian Alvarez pulled one back for Argentina in the 73rd minute, but Uruguay held on for victory.

Messi was absent after ending his international career with 208 appearances and 126 goals. He remains Argentina’s record goalscorer and most-capped player, having led the team to World Cup success in Qatar in 2022.

His absence was also evident in the atmosphere at La Bombonera, which did not attract the usual crowd for an Argentina home fixture.

Manager Lionel Scaloni chose not to give the number 10 shirt to another player, leaving the number associated with Messi without a new owner for the time being.

Scaloni recently extended his contract with the Argentine Football Association until 2030. During his time in charge, Argentina have won the 2022 World Cup, the Copa America in 2021 and 2024, and the 2022 Finalissima.

Portugal’s first outing since Ronaldo announced his international retirement on 5 November also ended in disappointment.

The match began as a tribute to the former captain, with Portugal’s players wearing shirts bearing his name and number seven during their entrance to the pitch and the national anthem. Supporters also displayed banners celebrating his career.

However, Denmark turned the occasion into a convincing victory. Pierre-Emile Højbjerg opened the scoring from the penalty spot before half-time, while Rasmus Højlund struck twice in the 50th and 57th minutes.

Joachim Andersen added Denmark’s fourth in the 75th minute, and Bernardo Silva scored Portugal’s only goal in added time.

Ronaldo left the national team having won a world-record 234 caps and scored 146 international goals. He helped Portugal win Euro 2016 and the Nations League in 2019 and 2025.

Despite the heavy defeat, Portugal remain top of their Nations League group on 12 points, three clear of Denmark. They had already secured their place in the quarter-finals before Saturday’s match.