Take it easy like a Sunday morning, Lionel Richie to Messi

U.S. Singer Lionel Richie who was in London on Friday to pick up his Silver Clef music award gave his name sake Argentinan footballer Lionel Messi some words of encouragement after he announced his retirement last week after missing a penalty, which resulted in his team losing the Copa America final

The 29-year-old was seen in tears at the end of the game, telling the media that he tried all that he could.

Richie told Messi “easy like Sunday morning”.

“First of all, if you’re good, if I told you how many times I lost at the Grammies, and it only made me do one thing – get better. So, I’m not even worried about my namesake – he’s going to be just fine and you’ll see him next year this time and he’ll win. He’s a winner obviously,” said Richie.

Sentiments also shared by Argentines who see Lionel Messi as a “gift from God. ‘’ Argentina ‘s President Mauricio Macri spoke over the phone, to Messi last week trying to convince him to reconsider his decision to quit the national team.

Messi, a five-time world player of the year, has played in three Copa America finals, in 2007, 2015, and 2016, as well as in the 2014 World Cup final, with Argentina losing every time.