Lionel Messi's visit to Old Trafford was action packed, to say the least, and a moment involving Romelu Lukaku's mum after the full-time whistle summed up his eventful evening.
All eyes were on the five-time Ballon d'Or winner as Barcelona came up against Manchester United in the Champions League quarter-final stage, and several stand out moments involved the little magician.
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He ended up with a bloodied nose after a nasty collision with defender Chris Smalling, not to mention the cut above his eyebrow.
Before that incident, Messi's involvement in Luke Shaw's own goal, where he found Luis Suarez with a deft chip at the back post to make it 1-0 in the 12th minute, was another big moment in the game.
In all honestly though, it wasn't his finest game on a football pitch by any stretch of the imagination.
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But perhaps the 32-year-old was uplifted by the appearance of Romelu Lukaku's mother, Adolphine, who was absolutely thrilled to meet him on his way out of Old Trafford on Wednesday night.
"Oh, Messi, Messi!" she beamed as they embraced in the tunnel.
Clearly she has no hard feelings about United's defeat to Barca. Messi's reaction is priceless!
Lukaku’s mum is a legend the way she hugged messi 😭😭😭😭😭
Lukaku and his mother share a special bond. After he opened his tally at the World Cup by bagging a brace against Panama, the United striker dedicated his goals to his mother in a touching moment.
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He wheeled away in celebration with a touching message for his mother, saying; "I love you Mum."
Lukaku's celebration followed a heartfelt interview, where he revealed his brutal upbringing as a child, while recalling how his mother had to borrow bread.
"There were even times when my mum had to 'borrow' bread from the bakery down the street" he told The Players' Tribune.
Another banger from the Players Tribune. This one on Lukaku. 100% worth the read. “I couldn’t see my mother living like that. Nah, nah, nah. I couldn’t have that.” theplayerstribune.com/en-us/articles…
"The bakers knew me and my little brother, so they'd let her take a loaf of bread on Monday and pay them back on Friday.
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"I knew we were struggling. But when she was mixing in water with the milk, I realized it was over, you know what I mean? This was our life.
"I didn't say a word. I didn't want her to stress. I just ate my lunch. But I swear to God, I made a promise to myself that day. It was like somebody snapped their fingers and woke me up. I knew exactly what I had to do, and what I was going to do. I couldn't see my mother living like that. Nah, nah, nah. I couldn't have that."
Respect.
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Football News, Mum, Football, Manchester United, Messi, Lionel Messi, Romelu Lukaku, Soccer, Champions League, Old Trafford, Quarter Final