Lionel Messi's birthday: Rio Ferdinand sends 'salute' to Barcelona forward in happy birthday video as Twitter celebrates with #Messi28

Ferdinand recorded a video to send his best to Messi on his 28th birthday

Rio Ferdinand has sent Lionel Messi a happy birthday salute (Instagram/rioferdy5)

Lionel Messi can finally enjoy his 28th birthday after former Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand sent a 'happy birthday salute' to the Barcelona superstar.

Having just clinched his fourth Champions League winners’ medal courtesy of the 3-1 victory over Juventus in the final earlier this month, many would be surprised to hear that the Argentina international is still only 28.

Having won his first Ballon d’Or award at the tender age of 22 for his exploits in 2009 – when Barcelona also triumphed in Europe – it feels like Messi has been around longer than football itself.

Ferdinand is clearly one of those still stunned by his age, and took to his Instagram page to post a video to wish his former opponent a happy birthday.

Watch the video below:

A video posted by Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) on Jun 24, 2015 at 3:08am PDT

“Mr Lionel Messi, 28 years old. Happy birthday," says Ferdinand. "24 trophies at Barcelona including four Champions Leagues.

"Let me just read this. 482 games, 412 goals, 155 assists. I salute the man.”

Barcelona have also chipped in with the congratulations, and managed to get #Messi28 trending on Twitter.

Ferdinand retired from the game after a lone season with Queens Park Rangers, and will embark on a punditry career with broadcasters BT Sport. The ex-England captain hasn’t wasted any time in voicing his opinion on the current state of the transfer market, having hit out at the fees being linked in the moves for Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling while also questioning the motives behind Sergio Ramos and Bastian Schweinsteiger’s reported interest in joining Manchester United.