The one and only player who Lionel Messi asked for the shirt of during his career

Lionel Messi has only ever asked one player to swap shirts with him during his career.

Over the years, Messi has been the dominant force in world football alongside old foe Cristiano Ronaldo.

Whenever a player has the chance to play against Messi, it is likely that they will ask the Argentine to swap shirts at the end of the match.

However, speaking in a previous interview, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner revealed that he has only asked a player to swap shirts once in his career.

The player the former Barcelona and Paris Saint Germain superstar asked was France and Real Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane.

Speaking to TyC Sports back in 2017, Messi said: “I don't ask for shirts, I usually swap 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.”

Zidane forged an incredible career at club and international level, winning league titles in Italy and Spain with Juventus and Real respectively, as well as the World Cup in 1998.

That year the attacking midfielder also won the prestigious Ballon d'Or award.

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When asked where he keeps the shirts he has collected throughout his career, Messi told the Miami Herald last year: “I have them all saved in my house, in Barcelona, where I have all the important mementos of my career.

“I simply exchange with whoever happens to be there at that moment.”

He continued: “I have had a chance to play against teams that had Argentine players, and generally we swap shirts, but I also exchanged shirts with players in Europe - players who I knew from before… it's always nice to change shirts with friends or players I know.”

This week, Messi created Major League Soccer history in his first match for Inter Miami since suffering an ankle injury back in June.

Messi netted a brace and provided an assist as Inter Miami won 3-1 against Philadelphia Union at the Chase Stadium.

The Argentine became the fastest player in MLS history to reach 15 goals and 15 assists, taking just 19 matches to achieve the landmark.

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