Gerard Pique said Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi will pick himself up from his Copa America disappointment after announcing his Argentina retirement.
Captain Messi was visibly dejected as he said he was retiring from national team duty in the aftermath of Argentina's 4-2 loss on penalties to Chile following a goalless 120 minutes in Sunday's Copa America Centenario final.
Argentina's all-time leading goalscorer with 55 and 113 international caps, Messi has been inundated with requests to rethink his decision and Pique offered his support to the 29-year-old following Spain's Euro 2016.
"I've not spoken with Messi. I know the same as you," Pique said after Spain lost 2-0 to Italy in the last 16.
"I'm sure it was a big blow, but I know how competitive he is and I know he will pick himself up from this, as many others have done before."
‘He instantly popped into our ratings as one of the best U21 midfielders in Europe. The impressive thing is Slot has made him into more of a no.6' Inside Ryan Gravenberch's transformation at Liverpool
‘I don’t think Liverpool would look at Ollie Watkins, a striker isn’t a pressing issue for them – it’s Arsenal who need one’ Former Reds star explains why his old club don’t need an out-and-out forward this summer
