Lionel Messi showed the ultimate sign of respect after Argentina beat Brazil to win the Copa America.
Messi won his first international trophy for Argentina as they secured the Copa America title at the Maracana last weekend.
Advert
The 34-year-old broke down in tears when the referee blew the final whistle, with his teammates celebrating with him on the pitch.
Despite emotions running high, he had the presence of mind to stop a derogatory Pele chant in the post-match celebrations.
Rodrigo De Paul, who assisted Angel Di Maria's first-half goal, was set to sing a song about footballing legends Pele and Diego Maradona.
Via Roy Nemer, it's a chant essentially saying: "Brazilians, how bitter you look, Maradona is bigger/greater, greater than Pele."
Advert
However, the six-time Ballon d'Or winner immediately stopped him from singing it, gesturing to him during the celebrations.
Sergio Aguero sided with Messi and also told him to stop singing it in a classy moment amid Argentina's triumph over Brazil.
Humble in victory - brilliant from Messi.
Messi dedicated Argentina's Copa America success to his family and friends, not to mention Maradona.
Advert
On social media, he wrote: "I want to dedicate this success to my family who always gave me the strength to move forward, to my friends that I love so much, to all the people who back us and especially to the 45 million Argentines who had such a bad time with this sh*t virus, especially those that affected them more closely.
"It goes for all of you. And of course, also for Diego [Maradona] who surely backed us from wherever he is."
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Football News, Football, Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona, Pele, Argentina, Brazil