Throughout His Career, Lionel Messi Only Ever Desired To Switch Shirts With One Player

Though he doesn’t often switch shirts with his rivals, Lionel Messi made an exception for a particular Real Madrid icon.

Before leaving through the tunnel at halftime in Manchester City’s 3-0 Champions League victory over Young Boys, Mohamed Ali Camara, the captain of the Swiss team, approached Erling Haaland and asked to have the striker’s shirt.

After retorting, “You cannot do this,” the two-goal City forward gave the defender his shirt with reluctance. In fact, asking an opponent for a memento like this in the middle of the game is not very common.

Of course, eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi’s shirt is arguably the most sought-after in all of football. Opposition players eager to acquire legendary memorabilia have made a beeline for the Argentine’s match shirts since he joined Inter Miami.

However, Messi disclosed in 2019 that he generally follows the rule of exchanging shirts but doesn’t ask rival players to do the same.

Messi disclosed that, in spite of the intense rivalry between Real Madrid and Barcelona, he was compelled to request the Frenchman’s shirt.

He had previously said, “I usually swap shirts instead of asking for them, but I asked Zidane once.”

“If there is an Argentine, I swap it with him, but, unless someone asks me, I’m not asking anyone.”

Naturally, Zidane had a fantastic career both at the club and international levels, winning the World Cup in 1998 and league titles with Juventus and Real Madrid, respectively, in Italy and Spain.

The attacking midfielder took home the coveted Ballon d’Or that year as well.