Tom Brady is congratulating Eli Manning on his 16-year NFL career ... by wishing the N.Y. Giants quarterback NEVER won a Super Bowl!!!
Of course, Manning's 2 rings came at the expense of Brady's Patriots in dramatic fashion -- remember David Tyree?? Mario Manningham?? Yeah. Still hurts for New England fans.
Now that Eli is calling it a career, Brady gave his old foe a congratulatory tweet ... and threw in a friendly jab.
"Congratulations on your retirement, and a great career Eli!