Lionel Messi’s tears after Argentina’s Copa America final defeat have travelled around the world. His now ex-team-mate Dani Alves wasn’t able to watch the game against Chile, but took advantage of his presentation as a Juventus player to send a message of support to Messi, who announced his retirement from international football after the loss.

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“Messi took the decision in the heat of the moment. I’ve had the pleasure to be his good friend and his team-mate. Nothing can diminish his greatness, he knows what he means to football and, above all, to his family,” the Brazilian said.

The right-back suggested to the Argentina captain that before he takes a hasty decision, he spends a few days with his loved ones: “In these moments you have to be with the people that understand and respect you, not with those who want to look for trouble.”

Alves added that “these decisions should be taken with a cold head and after a lot of thinking. I’m convinced that the fans still have plenty of [Messi] to enjoy. You can't think about losing a player like this. It doesn’t matter if you win or lose, because it all forms part of our job. A defeat should never be enough to make you leave football.”