Bayern Munich have broken tradition for Lionel Messi and it's never happened before

Bayern Munich have recently broken their own rule for Lionel Messi, several years after they paid a touching tribute to the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner.

The relationship between Messi and the Bundesliga giants has been nothing but respectful for many years.

Back in 2018, the former Barcelona forward received his own personal tribute section inside the Allianz Arena stadium.

As you can see in the image below, a signed Messi shirt is proudly displayed in a cabinet, and is the only non-Bayern related piece of football history in the club museum.

The item celebrates Messi scoring 91 goals in a calendar year, when he surpassed Bayern legend Gerd Muller's record of 85 goals back in 1972.

Reminder: Messi has his own section dedicated to him in Bayern's museum at Allianz Arena. pic.twitter.com/7YfqKcp6Le

— FCB Albiceleste (@FCBAlbiceleste) March 8, 2023

Shortly after Messi smashed the record, he gifted Bayern legend Muller a signed shirt that read: "For Gerd Müller / My respect and admiration / A hug."

Muller then gifted the shirt to his former club and the tribute remains.

So what have Bayern recently done to honour the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner? As pointed out by X user @AlbicelesteTalk, Bayern Munich have started following Lionel Messi on Instagram.

According to the fan, the Inter Miami forward is the only football player Bayern follow on the social media platform, past and present, to have never played for them.

As mentioned earlier, Messi sent a special shirt to Gerd Muller after breaking his record but it was also accompanied by a letter written by then-Barcelona president Sandro Rosell.

The letter was addressed to his Bayern counterpart, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, and was titled, "Recognition of the player and person that is Gerd Muller."

It went on to describe how both Messi and Muller have become 'sporting legends' at their respective clubs.

"The esteem and admiration our club feels for Bayern and it's fans is demonstrated once again in the historical tie between these two great players who have become sporting legends of our clubs," said Rosell in the letter.

Muller responded graciously, saying: "If a player scores close to 100 goals in year, there can be no two opinions about who's the best player in the world.

"He's an unbelievable player, a giant, but at the same time such a likeable and modest professional."