Their rivalry is legendary in the game of soccer, but their great respect for one another is equally mutual. Still, not everyone believes it, so when Cristiano Ronaldo said it “hurt” to see Lionel Messi lose in the Copa America final, and to watch Messie announce that he would retire from Argentina’s national team, people were thinking, “Yeah, right, Ronaldo!”
“He has made a tough decision and people should understand,” Ronaldo said. “He is not accustomed to defeats and disappointments. Finishing second and missing a penalty does not make you a bad player. It hurts to see Messi in tears and I hope he returns to play for his country, because he needs it,” Ronaldo continued.