RUSSIA: Lionel Messi won hearts world over with a simple gesture of tying a ribbon on his ankle, given to him by a reporter as a good luck charm after the team’s disappointing start to FIFA World Cup 2018, during Argentina’s crucial group game against Nigeria, reported TOI.
The lucky charmed worked as Argentina qualified for the last 16, and the reporter was over the moon to know that Messi had actually taken the ribbon and used it.
Leo Messi shocks Argentinian ?? reporter by revealing he wore his mother’s good luck ribbon ?#Messi #Albiceleste #ARG#Russia2018 #Rusia2018 #Copa2018 #WorldCup
[?@official433 @telefenoticias] pic.twitter.com/nYC7hlS7RC
— Xtra Minute (@XtraminuteTV) June 27, 2018
After the Albiceleste started their campaign with a draw to Iceland, in which Messi missed a penalty, and then a 0-3 loss to Croatia, the Barcelona superstar was criticized heavily.
However, during one of the post-match session, an Argentine reporter, Rama Pantorotto, handed Messi his mother’s lucky charm, a ribbon of sorts saying that would bring him good luck in the tournament going forward.
And after the Nigeria match, Pantorotto got hold of Messi asking him about the lucky charm and Messi stunned the reported by showing to him that the ribbon was tied to his ankle throughout the match.
Pantorotto couldn’t believe what he saw and the simple gesture by Messi goes a long way to show the humble footballer has a legion of fans world over not only because of his mad footballing skills but also for his kind heart.