Barcelona set to be fined for Lionel Messi’s touching tribute to Diego Maradona

ByThe Editorial Team

Updated 30/11/2020 at 16:08 GMT

Barcelona face a fine of €3000 (£2725) after Lionel Messi paid tribute to Argentina great Diego Maradona by taking his shirt off to reveal a Newell’s Old Boys jersey with the iconic number 10 on the back. Messi scored a goal reminiscent of his late compatriot during a 4-0 La Liga win over Osasuna.

Barcelona are likely to be fined €3000 (£2725), according to Sport, after Lionel Messi marked the death of compatriot and Argentina legend Diego Maradona by revealing the shirt of his boyhood club after scoring against Osasuna.

Having scored a goal Maradona would have been proud of during a 4-0 La Liga win on Sunday, Messi took off his Barcelona jersey to reveal a Newell’s Old Boys shirt with the iconic number 10 on the back. Messi started his youth career with Newell's and Maradona played there late in his career in his native Argentina.

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The emotional game at the Nou Camp, where Maradona also started his European adventure in 1982 before moving to Napoli, was the first since the 1986 World Cup winner passed away last week, aged 60.

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Messi was booked for the tribute under Spanish Football Federation rules, which state a player can’t remove their kit to show any form of message, no matter what it stands for. The regulation also carries a fine of €3000 (£2725), which is likely to be held until the end of the season.

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Considered the greatest Argentinian player since Maradona, Messi also played under the Napoli legend at the 2010 World Cup and paid tribute to him on Instagram when he found out about his passing.

“A very sad day for all Argentines and football,” he said. “He leaves us but does not leave, because Diego is eternal. I take all the beautiful moments lived with him and wanted to take the opportunity to send condolences to all his family and friends. RIP.”

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