Portuguese legend Luis Figo has wished Francesco Totti a happy 40th birthday, and revealed he believes the Italian icon deserved to lift the Ballon d’Or in 2000.
Figo claimed the huge individual honour in November of 2000 for his tremendous form for Barcelona the season prior, before the winger completed a controversial move to Real Madrid in the summer.
The now-43-year-old finished at the top of the voting rankings that year to lift the trophy, picking up 197 points with Zinedine Zidane coming second with 181.
Totti, meanwhile, had become the creative hub for Fabio Capello’s Roma team at that time, but during a storied career with the Italian club never won the solo honour.
And with the forward having celebrated his 40th birthday on Tuesday, Figo has conceded that Totti should have claimed the 2000 Ballon d’Or rather than himself after a fine campaign.
Figo said, as reported by Football Italia: “Wonderful Francesco, you’re getting old, eh? 40 birthdays, best wishes, my friend.
“And I’m sorry for stealing the Ballon d’Or in 2000 – you deserved it.”
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