Following his amazing goal against Benfica in the Champions League on Wednesday night, Lionel Messi became just the second player in history to be approached for an autograph by Portuguese icon Paulo Futre.
This came from the guy himself, who was at the game covering his former team on television as he watched another spectacular performance from the Argentinian.
Despite tying 1-1 with Benfica in Group H, Messi completed a fluid team move that contained some great one-touch football by curling Neymar’s pass wonderfully into the right-hand corner.
However, Futre had planned his quest to acquire a signature from the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner before the match even started.
He wanted to ask the Argentine for his signature, as he had done with World Cup-winning great Diego Maradona. After signing him, the Atletico Madrid icon explained why he pursued Messi.
Futre wrote, “Modesty aside, I’ve only seen two players who seemed much better than me. The two Argentines”.
Futre also said, “Diego Maradona was the only player I asked for an autograph for me, when we shared a pitch in the World Cup in 1987. Today I have asked Leo Messi for the second”.
The sweet moment between the two was filmed, and it shows him talking to Messi before gesticulating two fingers – most likely to imply that the former Barcelona star is the second person he’s ever requested for an autograph from.
He then has Messi sign his Atletico Madrid shirt with his name on the back, followed by an embrace in what is clearly a moment of respect and affection.
Futre won the European Cup with Porto and also played for Sporting Lisbon, Benfica, Marseille, Milan, Atletico Madrid, and West Ham. One of his most notable individual accomplishments was finishing second in the Ballon d’Or race in 1987.
Given that he comes from a nation where Cristiano Ronaldo is a native, it’s a big sign of respect that he requested Messi, who joins Maradona in this pretty elite group.
Messi on his retirement
Argentina captain Lionel Messi has vowed that the World Cup in Qatar in 2022 will be his “absolutely” last, implying that his retirement from international football is imminent.
With seven assists, Messi looks to be recovering form just in time for the World Cup. However, he acknowledges that his nerves are getting the best of him as he prepares for his final shot at world fame.
