BUENOS AIRES, July 30 (Xinhua) -- Argentine football star Lionel Messi Wednesday said the death of the longtime president of the Argentine Football Association (AFA), Julio Grondona, was "a sad day for football."

"A sad day for football, for all Argentina and for me," Messi posted on his Facebook page. "The president of the AFA, Julio Grondona, has left us."

"I want to send my condolences and a very big hug to all his family members and friends," Messi added.

Grondona died earlier on Wednesday in Buenos Aires at the age of 82 after serving as the head of the AFA since 1979.