Diego Maradona has revealed the advice he gave Barcelona star Lionel Messi that inspired him to win the Ballon d'Or. Messi beat Real Madrid rival Cristiano Ronaldo to the title last year.

But roles were reversed when Ronaldo was with Manchester United and Maradona revealed: "Messi is a great guy and deserves it.

"When he first beat Ronaldo, afterwards I told him: you must make sure you keep him in second place. And last year he (Ronaldo) finished second again."