Dearest Lionel Messi, the only way us lowly mortals can reach your heights is with our lips at your boot-level. Your feet were dipped in golden glory, and we are not worthy to share space with them. You are kind enough to walk amongst us, and play this Beautiful Game on the spherical pitch we call Earth.
Alright, fine, Messi looked more man than mortal in this game—it wasn’t his greatest match against the Portuguese side Sporting CP in the Champions League—but that didn’t stop one pitch invader from giving Messi the messianic treatment. The young pitch invader gave Messi a hug, and then went in for the lunge on Messi’s boot. It was kind of weird, but also somehow touching and appropriate:
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Messi’s reaction is pretty great as well. It goes something along the lines of: oh, a fan, to this again, that’s cool, to let’s politely get this over with, to a sure, hugs for everyone, to a kind of casual recognition of the bizarre thing that was happening—huh, he’s kissing my foot, that’s new. Then, after the fan was escorted off the pitch, Messi—with his ever-bewildered tiny child vibes—then took a look down at his feet being like, you’re praising these things, huh? Never thought about that before.
Either that, or Messi’s just concerned that the saliva on his boots will add an unwelcome variable to his centimeter-perfect shot.
Either way, the game went on. And because it was being played in Sporting CP’s native country of Portugal, shouts of “Cristiano Ronaldo!” rang out from the crowd to troll Messi. Seems like their kisses are better spent on another player’s dirty-ass shoes.
