IN SPORT.ES
Roma legend Francesco Totti turns 40 on Tuesday (September 27). One of the first to congratulate him was Lionel Messi, who published a message on social media.
The Barcelona forward -- who’s not travelled to Germany to take on Borussia Moenchengladbach in the Champions League with his team-mates due to a groin problem -- sent the message from the club’s training ground.
“Hola Francesco, before anything I want to say Happy Birthday and I hope you have a great day,” the Argentine international said. “I’ve always admired you, even more since I met you.
“I wish you all the best and I hope to see you playing for two more years yet. A big hug.”
It’s not the first time Messi’s admiration for Totti has been on show. After the 2015 Joan Gamper, the two posed for a photo and Messi shared it with the caption: “A GREAT!!! What a phenomenon.”
Messi admires the Italian international, who is an institution at Roma. His team played Barça in the Champions League last season, drawing 1-1 at home and losing 6-1 at Camp Nou.