Fabián Vargas has recalled an important moment in his football career that involved Lionel Messi.
The former Boca Juniors and América player played for Almería and found himself on an 8-0 thrashing at the hands of Barcelona in 2010.
However, the 39-year-old midfielder had made a request to Messi before the match.
"Before the game, some friends had called me to ask for my shirt to auction it for the benefit of the victims in my country because of the floods that year," he told El País (via La Nación).
"I took advantage of playing against Barcelona, I went to look for Leo [Messi] before the game to tell him the situation and ask him if he could give me his shirt."
Of course, losing 8-0 is going to upset almost any player, including Vargas. In fact, the former Colombia international forgot that he had asked for the five-time Ballon d'Or winner's shirt.
"I left the court so angry and sad that I forgot the subject [that he had asked Messi for his shirt]," he recalled.
Well, it looks like somebody didn't forget. While Vargas was in the dressing room, the Almería kit man approached him and told him that there was somebody who wanted to see him.
That's right, the 31-year-old Argentine forward had come to speak with Vargas.
"I went out and there he was with a little bag," he said. "I remember he said, 'Look, these are the shirts that I could collect for you.' I thanked him and hugged him [thinking that it was just his shirt as I had requested from him]."
When Vargas made his way back into the dressing room and decided to take a look inside the bag, he was treated to a very, very big surprise.
"When I came back and opened the bag, there was [not just] Messi's shirt, but also those of Xavi, [Andrés] Iniesta, Dani Alves, [Gerard] Piqué and [Carles] Puyol," he explained.
"I will never forget that gesture.
"[I wish that he] continues to break records. Because of his gesture to me, it's something I [will] always want."
Take a bow, Messi!
The Barcelona captain has already captured the La Liga title this season, but there are still many, many titles and honours that he could pick up over the course of 2019.
Will Messi win the 2019 Ballon d'Or?
Let us know in the comments.
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: Xavi, Dani Alves, Football News, Nou Camp, Football, Barcelona, Lionel Messi, Gerard Pique, Andres Iniesta, Spain, La Liga, Barca, Carles Puyol