Featured Image Credit: Getty & La Nacion
Topics: Lionel Messi, Inter Miami, Argentina, MLS
Josh Lawless
Topics: Lionel Messi, Inter Miami, Argentina, MLS
A cleaner claims he was fired from his job after asking Lionel Messi for his autograph.
'Messi Mania' is taking place in the United States after the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner made the move to MLS with Inter Miami.
Messi was mobbed by fans after leaving a store in Miami, with everyone desperate for a picture and signature from arguably the greatest to ever play the game.
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The frenzy has been the same at Inter matches, with employees even trying to meet Messi. A Colombian man Cristian Salamanca was hired by a cleaning company who look after sports venues and had his first shift for Inter's game against Orlando City in the Leagues Cup round of 32.
Inter won 3-1, with Messi bagging a brace in a fiery Florida derby.
Salamanca wore his new uniform but also had his Argentina shirt underneath and having been positioned in the area for where teams arrive, he saw his opportunity to meet the Barcelona legend.
And that he did, even getting Messi's autograph on his La Albiceleste jersey - but it came at a cost as his employment was terminated after a single shift.
"I had to clean the bathrooms in the sector where the buses park. Fortunately, I was out there when the bus arrived and all the players got out. The last one was Messi,' Salamanca told Argentine newspaper La Nacion.
(I) yelled at him: 'Hey, world champion!' He turned to look. I lifted up my uniform shirt and I had down the shirt of the Argentine team and a marker.
"He gave me his autograph. Security came right away, they took me out and fired me from my job, but it was worth every second!"
The report states that employees working at the DRV PNK Stadium have been instructed to not bother Messi and remain professional throughout.
Salamanca went against that ruling and was sacked on the spot. His wife, who was working inside the ground, had to collect his belongings.
Messi was involved in another bizarre encounter with a fan recently as a supporter asked him for a kiss while he was driving.
The 36-year-old obliged and planted a peck on the cheek of the youngster.