Fabian Vargas Tells Incredible Story Behind Lionel Messi’s Touching Gesture In 2010

Fabian Vargas has recalled an important moment in his football career that involved Lionel Messi.

The former Boca Juniors and America player played for Almeria and found himself on an 8-0 thrashing at the hands of Barcelona in 2010.

However, the 40-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 Pais.

"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 six-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 Almeria kit man approached him and told him that there was somebody that wanted to see him.

That's right, the 32-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, [Andres] Iniesta, Dani Alves, [Gerard] Pique 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!

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Football News, Football, Barcelona, Lionel Messi, La Liga, Barca

Adnan Riaz

Adnan Riaz is a journalist for SPORTbible. He studied for a B.A. in History at the University of York and followed it up with an M.A. in Multimedia Journalism at MMU. Before he started writing about sports, he spent over four years in the gaming press. He has worked for several publications, including Hardcore Gamer, LADbible and the Manchester Evening News. Follow him on Twitter to find out what he is working on next. Got a story tip for Adnan? Email him: [email protected]

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