For the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, the match against Australia was remarkable for a number of reasons. It was his jubilee 1,000th match in his professional career, in addition to progressing and also scoring. Messi contributed one goal to the win.
Devlin’s loot is all the more valuable. But surprising for himself.
Editing of the World Cup match Argentina – AustraliaVideo: Czech television
“I went to the field to console the boys and I shook Messi’s hand,” Devlin recounted with distance in foreign media. He admits that he did not feel the “moral right” to apply for an exchange with the star at all.
“I wanted to give a chance to the guys who were playing first, but nobody said anything, so I tried my luck. And he answered me: I’ll meet you inside,” continued the Heart of Midlothian midfielder.
He himself had no illusions that his face or name meant anything to Messi. But he took courage.
“He definitely had no idea who I was, so I was surprised that he took my jersey. He’s obviously a decent and humble person. He probably doesn’t hang it up at home, he probably left it on the floor in the locker room, but I don’t mind. The main thing is that his I have the jersey,” added a happy Devlin, who managed to take a picture with Messi.
