Luis Suarez is confident his Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi will reconsider his early retirement from Argentina duty.
Messi, 29, unexpectedly announced that he was planning to end his international career after the Copa America Centenario defeat to Chile, which represented a third consecutive loss in three years in a major final for Argentina.
Uruguay star Suarez, though, said he was hopeful that Messi, who had served as Argentina's captain, would reconsider.
"Knowing Leo, for sure he will have said something in a moment of sadness and powerlessness," Suarez told Tenfield.com. "It would be a pity for football if he took this decision, but I am sure he will think about it again and change his mind.
"It is a difficult moment. Everyone has the right to make their own decisions. Whatever they say, he will be the best player in the history of football."
Former Uruguay striker Diego Forlan also spoke to Tenfield, saying: "In my opinion it would be a shame if a player like Messi retired liked this from the national team, as he is one of the best players in history.
"I hope he thinks about it and changes his mind."
Messi had called the Argentine FA (AFA) a "disaster" ahead of the Copa America final, revealing a backlog of complaints with the federation, though he later said his comments were a mistake.
Argentina legend Diego Maradona had earlier called on Messi to reconsider while harshly criticising those running the game in their country, and another World Cup 1986 winner, Jorge Valdano, said he understood the mix of pressure and frustration that led to Messi's decision.
Current Argentina national president Mauricio Macri, a former chief of one the country's biggest football clubs Boca Juniors, also said he hopes Messi will prolong his international career.
Messi, who has scored 55 goals in 113 appearances for Argentina, is one of several Albiceleste players considering retirement.
Sources told ESPN's Diego Monroig after the Copa America final that Sergio Aguero, Javier Mascherano and Lucas Biglia were also planning to retire, while Ever Banega, Ezequiel Lavezzi, Angel Di Maria and Gonzalo Higuain were also reported to be considering their futures.
Aguero confirmed to reporters after the match: "Some of us are evaluating not playing for the national team anymore."