CRISTIANO RONALDO has defended rival Lionel Messi after his missed penalty in the Copa America final.
The tearful Argentinian superstar called time on his international career after the shootout defeat against Chile.
And speaking ahead of Portugal’s clash with Wales, Ronaldo insisted seeing long-term foe Messi in floods of tears did not make him happy.
According to AS, the forward said: “He’s taken a tough decision and people must understand it.
“Messi isn’t used to defeats or disappointments: not even finishing second. Missing a penalty doesn’t make you a bad player.
“It’s not nice seeing Messi in tears and I hope he returns to the national side.”
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Argentina have now gone 23 years without a trophy. Messi has now lost in four finals – at the 2014 World Cup and three Copa Americas, in 2007, 2015 and now 2016.
Ronaldo and Portugal face Wales in the semi-finals of Euro 2016 in Lyon on Wednesday.
The Real Madrid star scored in the shootout victory over Poland in the quarter-finals.
And he will be desperate to make amends after losing in the Euro 2004 final to Greece on home soil.
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