Lionel Messi wishes Diego Maradona 'Happy Birthday' in emotional Ballon d'Or speech

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Lionel Messi paid an emotional tribute to late Diego Maradona after winning the Ballon d'Or 2023 on Monday (October 30).

Messi won the prestigious Ballon d'Or award for the 8th time in his career yesterday. The Argentina legend got his hands to the France Football organized award as the best male footballer for the 2022-23 season.

Messi was instrumental for PSG and Argentina last season. And the pinnacle of his career arrived in Qatar last year as Argentina lifted their 3rd World Cup title, the first in 36 years.

Messi surpassed the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland to win the award, and he had a special wish for the great Diego Armando Maradona.

October 30 is the birthday of Argentina and Football legend Diego Maradona. This was the 64th birth anniversary of Maradona, and Messi wished the legend A Happy Birthday from the stage in Paris.

"Today I wanted to mention Diego [Maradona]," Messi said.

"There's no better place to wish him happy birthday than here, around many people loving football, as he wanted. Wherever you are, Diego... happy birthday. This award is also for you," the Argentina captain and 8th-time Ballon d'Or winner added.