Retired former Almeria Midfielder Fabian Vargas has revealed Lionel Messi’s classic act back in 2010, when his side suffered an humiliating 8-0 loss to Barcelona, in a LaLiga match.
Fabian Vargas tackled Lionel Messi in a LaLiga match in 2011. AFP PHOTO/ LLUIS GENE (Photo credit should read LLUIS GENE/AFP via Getty Images)
Speaking in an interview, the 41 years old said; “In 2010, I was playing for Almeria and we went to face Barça. Before the match, my friends called me to ask for my jersey so they could auction it and raise money for the victims of the floods which were taking place in Argentina.
I had the idea of going to see Messi before the match to explain the situation and see if I could have his jersey after the game. But as we lost 8-0 and I was very angry, I forgot to get his shirt at the end of the match.
But the Almeria steward came up to me in the locker room and told me that someone wanted to see me. I went out the locker room and I saw Messi with a little bag.
He told me: “Here take these jerseys for your collection”. I hugged him and thanked him. When I went back into the locker room and opened the bag, I saw there was also the shirts of Pique, Alves, Xavi and Puyol. I’ll never forget his amazing act.” He concluded.
Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick in the game vs. Almeria.
Afolabi Kehinde Hassan
