An INTERMiami soccer player got a tattoo of Lionel Messi’s signature just hours after having the “best day of my life” meeting his hero.
In September, Argentine goalkeeper Francisco Rainieri had a dream encounter with Messi.
The national team was based in Miami and played against Honduras. Messi scored twice, including a great chip, to set a record for most games.
Lionel Scaloni’s team met with Inter Miami players during the international break and Ranieri was surprised to see them. They were using Inter Miami’s training camp in Florida.
The goalkeeper also took a photo with Emi Martínez, a member of the Argentine national team, and gave Messi a marker. The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner then signed Ranieri’s left wrist.
The two Argentines took a photo, with Messi showing off his famous artistic sleeve and Rainieri showing off the autograph.
Rainieri didn’t want to lose the valuable mark, so he headed straight to the tattoo parlor to get one that would always remind him of what happened.
The goalkeeper, who played in the youth ranks of Inter Miami, shared the best parts of an incredible experience on Instagram.
“The best day of my life,” Ranieri wrote. Yesterday I made a dream come true.
I had the opportunity to play on the field with people I admire on my national team.
Meet my hero, the greatest player of all time! He is a great guy on and off the pitch and I look up to him.”
“I can’t describe how happy I am to see you and know that you agreed to sign my arm.”
“Leo, you made my dream come true, and every time I look at my arm, I will remember how happy I was when I met you.”
“I am speechless at how wonderful you are!
“So much sacrifice and so many things left aside, to live dreams like the one I had to live yesterday.”
However, Rainieri could get used to seeing Messi at Inter Miami’s training camp if the big man makes a big move next year.
His current contract with PSG runs out at the end of the season and SunSport reports he will be waiting until after the World Cup to decide what to do next.
But in October, David Beckham’s team were said to be “increasingly confident” they can land Messi because talks are so advanced.
