FC Barcelona's Argentinian striker Lionel Messi (R) and Real Madrid's Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo during their Spanish Primera Division soccer match at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain in April of 2016. (Alejando Garcia | EPA)

Since he announced his retirement from the Argentine national team early Monday morning, star midfielder Lionel Messi has been bombarded with messages from teammates, former players and fans urging him to not quit.

This includes Diego Maradona earlier in the week.

Another player hoping to see Messi in the white and blue jersey soon is Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portugal and Real Madrid superstar, who has battled Messi for the top player of the year honors over the years, couldn't hold his words in any longer, according to a Facebook post by Copa Mundial Fifa Colombia.

"Messi has made a tough decision and the fans need to understand and accept it," Ronaldo said according to the post. "He's not used to losing or finishing second in his life.

"To miss a penalty kick doesn't make you a bad player, but it hurts me to see Messi in tears. I hope he returns to his national team because they need him."

Argentina lost to Chile on Sunday night at in the Copa America final in penalty kicks for the second consecutive season. Messi, who has won a total of 26 championships throughout his career, is yet to win a title with Argentina.

In the penalty shootout on Sunday, Messi was the first Argentine player to step into the box for a shot, but his attempt sailed over the outreached hands of goalie Clauido Bravo and over the crossbar. Chile won the shootout 4-2.

"The national team is over for me," Messi told TYC Sports on Sunday night. "It's not for me after four finals. The decision has been made, I believe.

"It's difficult. It's a tough moment for any kind of analysis. In the locker room I thought this might be the end for me on the national team. This isn't for me."

#CR7 : "Messi ha tomado una dura decisión y la gente debe entender y aceptar esto. No esta acostumbrado a derrotas y... Posted by Copa Mundial FIFA Colombia on Monday, June 27, 2016

Braulio Perez may be reached at bperez@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @BraulioEPerez.