Cardiff have joined Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona in calling for the search to be resumed for the plane carrying their missing striker Emiliano Sala.

Guernsey Police called off the search for Sala and pilot David Ibbotson on Thursday afternoon, prompting calls from across football for it to be resumed.

Messi and Maradona both posted social media messages in support of the cause to find their fellow Argentinian, before Cardiff – who signed Sala in a £15million deal last Friday – urged the authorities to resume the search for the missing plane and its occupants.

“We still hope that the search mission can continue and we could locate Emiliano,” Choo told reporters outside the Cardiff City Stadium on Friday as he and other club staff laid flowers where tributes to Sala have been placed.

“After the news yesterday that the search had been called off, I think it’s right for the staff and all of us to lay some flowers and do some prayers for his safe return.”

Messi, writing on his Instagram story, said: “As long as there are still possibilities, a hint of hope, we ask you please continue to look for Emiliano.

“I send all my strength and support to his family and friends. #PrayforSala.”

Another Argentinian football superstar, 1986 World Cup winner Maradona, also posted on Instagram pleading for the search to continue, with the message: “Hope never dies.”

Manchester City forward Sergio Aguero,used the social media hashtag #NoDejenDeBuscar – “do not stop searching”.

Nantes reacted with anger at the decision to formally call off the search for Sala’s missing plane as the striker’s sister begged rescue workers to keep looking for it.

An emotional Romina Sala, speaking in Spanish, told reporters in Cardiff that she feels her brother and his pilot are still alive.

Ms Sala travelled to south Wales after a light aircraft carrying her brother and the pilot disappeared from radar on Monday night.

Guernsey’s harbour master Captain David Barker earlier confirmed the “difficult” decision to end the search, saying the chances of survival were “extremely remote”.

The single-turbine engine Piper PA-46 Malibu left Nantes for Cardiff at 7.15pm on Monday, and after requesting to descend, lost contact with Jersey air traffic control.

Cardiff signed 28-year-old Sala for a club-record fee to bolster their attack and he had been due to start training on Tuesday.