Lionel Messi paid tribute to his Argentinian idol, mentor and coach Diego Maradona in a very special way during his last match.
After scoring a goal against Osasuna, the football star took off his FCB jersey to reveal a Newell’s 1986 Old Boys jersey, with the No.10 on the back in tribute to Maradona.
FCB head coach Ronald Koeman was moved and impressed by Messi’s gesture, saying it was were “great in every sense.”
“These are the things of a great player: first because of the play and the goal, and second because of the gesture towards Maradona. It was something really great in every sense,” Koeman said. “I didn’t know Leo was going to do that celebration.”
FCB won the match 4-0, thanks to goals scored by Messi, Antoine Griezmann and Martin Braithwaite.
“Antoine looked very good today,” said Koeman. “From his position, he played with a lot of freedom, he gave an assist and scored a great goal. This is the player we want.
“I don’t think he has changed. He always worked hard to have this opportunity, but he scored a great goal and now it seems he feels freer on the pitch and that’s a positive.”
Koeman also praised Braithwaite, who has contributed greatly to the Spanish team since his arrival.
“We needed more of a number nine today to fix the centre-backs and to be able to find more space behind a team that closes up at the back,” Koeman said. “Martin is working very well. We know the team works well in defence, they played with five at the back, and we had to play with a high rhythm with the ball to look for goal.”
