‘It hurts to see Lionel Messi in tears,’ says Cristiano Ronaldo

Messi announced his international retirement after Argentina lost in the final to Chile on penalties with the Barcelona superstar having missed his own spot-kick in the shootout.

For Messi it was a fourth time he had lost out in a major international final – but Ronaldo has said he has been hurt himself at seeing the Barcelona hero’s dismay.

"Messi has taken a tough decision and people should understand,” Ronaldo told Mundo Deportivo.

"He is not accustomed to defeats and disappointments, not even [finishing] second. Missing a penalty does not make you a bad player.

Ronaldo was speaking ahead of Portugal’s Euro 2016 semi-final against Real Madrid team-mate Gareth Bale’s Wales side.

Ronaldo himself has suffered international final heartbreak after Portugal lost to Greece on home soil at Euro 2004.

It’s heartwarming to hear that Ronaldo was so upset at Messi having retired from the international game in such difficult circumstances. Much is made of the pair’s rivalry in competing for Ballon d’Or accolades and Spanish and European titles, but there is clearly a lot of mutual respect.

Ronaldo will empathise with Messi after his Portugal side lost to Greece at home in the final of Euro 2004 and he will be looking to put that right in France this year.