Lionel Messi sent unwanted present to Iker Casillas to wind up Real Madrid legend before latest dig

Lionel Messi once sent Iker Casillas an unwanted present years before the Real Madrid goalkeeper sent an apparent dig over his latest award win.

The Inter Miami star beat Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe to claim the Best FIFA Men's Player on Monday, becoming the first player outside of Europe to win the prize.

Messi and Haaland were level on points but because the Argentine received more first-place votes from national team captains, he emerged victorious.

But with the World Cup win with Argentina not applicable, some fans felt as though Messi's win was not deserved.

Casillas appeared to have a jab at Messi's win, feeling as though his win was not fair.

Taking to X, he wrote: "You create some nice prizes and you are taking them away by not doing things fairly. 'The Smile' more like. Anyway, good night!”

It was new territory for Casillas, who has regularly praised the achievements from Messi.

Image: Getty

In 2019, after watching the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner score a ridiculous solo goal against Atletico Madrid, the Spaniard referred to Messi as the 'G.O.A.T'.

Messi has sent Casillas a gift in the past and it was well-received by the Real Madrid legend despite the unusual circumstances.

Back in 2020, Budweiser sent out bottles of beer to every goalkeeper Messi scored past to commemorate the record-breaking 644 goals he scored for Barcelona.

The limited edition lagers made their way to the goalkeepers and Casillas was handed 17 bottles as that is how many times Messi beat him in El Clasico fixtures.

Only Diego Alves, formerly of Valencia, was scored past more times after conceding 21.

Gianluigi Buffon, Jan Oblak and Joe Hart were some of the other shotstoppers to get free beer, but Casillas couldn't resist reminding Messi of his mini-drought against him.

Image: Iker Casillas & Budweiser

He wrote: "I didn't think they would arrive, but here are my personalised bottles of Budweiser! Congratulations Leo Messi on your 644th goal record. I remember well when you scored goals 264 and 265. Good game, good draw, and good thing you never scored against me again!"

Topics: Lionel Messi, Iker Casillas, Real Madrid, Barcelona

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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