Messi wishes Maradona a happy birthday: "Wherever you are, this goes also for you"

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Messi won his eighth Ballon d'Or on Diego Maradona's birthday. AFP

Leo Messi wanted to pay tribute to the late Diego Armando Maradona after winning his eighth Ballon d'Or on the day the Argentine legend would have turned 63.

As fate would have it, Leo Messi lifted his eighth Ballon d'Or on the day that football legend Diego Armando Maradona, who passed away on 25 November 2020, would have turned 63.

"Today I wanted to mention Diego. There’s no better place to wish him happy birthday here around many people loving football, as he wanted," said the Inter Miami player.

"Wherever you are, Diego… happy birthday. This goes also for you," concluded Messi, who could be seen visibly moved dedicating these beautiful words to one of the best players in history.

It is worth noting that Messi was the first Argentine to lead the 'Albiceleste' to win a World Cup since Maradona in 1986.