Lionel Messi rarely swaps shirts with his opponents but made an exception when it came to a certain Real Madrid legend.
During Manchester City’s 3-0 Champions League win over Young Boys, the Swiss side’s captain Mohamed Ali Camara approached Erling Haaland before they headed down the tunnel at half-time and requested the striker’s shirt.
The City forward, who scored two goals in the game, replied “'you cannot do this” before reluctantly handing the defender his shirt. Indeed, it is not common for a player to request such a keepsake from an opposing player mid-game.
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Of course, arguably the most sought-after shirt in world football would be eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi's. Since joining Inter Miami, the Argentine’s match shirts have been in high demand with opposition players looking to gain legendary memorabilia.
But in 2019 Messi revealed that his general rule is that he will swap shirts, but won’t ask opposing players to do so.
Unless your name is Zinedine Zidane.
Messi revealed that despite Barcelona and Real Madrid’s fierce rivalry, he could not pass up the opportunity to ask for the Frenchman's shirt.
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"I don't ask for shirts, I usually swap them, but I asked Zidane once," he previously told TyC Sports.
"If there is an Argentine I swap it with him, but, unless someone asks me, I'm not asking anyone."
Of course, 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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Featured Image Credit: GettyTopics: Football, Lionel Messi, Zinedine Zidane, Real Madrid, Erling Haaland