Barcelona's ex-captain and Carles Puyol has sent a message of support to Lionel Messi after Argentina's Copa del rey final loss and the news that rocked the footballing world of the no.10's subsequent retirement. 

"Animo, Leo, you're the best!", wrote Puyol on his Twitter account, with a picture of himself and his Argentine ex-teammate in Barcelona shirts. 

Puyol didn't mention Messi's retirement, preferring instead to try and raise the spirits of the Barcelona and Argentina number 10, who tasted his fourth major tournament final defeat in the blue and white striped jersey.