Lionel Messi had paid tribute to Pope Francis following his death aged 88 on Monday.
Confirmed by the Vatican, the first-ever Latin American pontiff died at the age of 88 – with all football matches scheduled for Monday postponed as a mark of respect.
Hailing from Buenos Aires, Argentina, the Pope was a lifelong supporter of his local team, San Lorenzo, who play in the country’s top division.
He was also a supporter of Messi, who is widely regarded as one of the best players of all time and from Argentina too. The duo met in 2013 at the Vatican, during a private audience with the Pope.
‘A distinguished Argentinian Pope,’ the Argentina star posted on Instagram alongside a photo of the two together. ‘RIP Pope Francis
‘Thank you for making the world a better place: we will miss you.’
