In what could be the ultimate flex, an 11-year-old boy ended up playing football with Lionel Messi while on vacation.
Mackenzie O’Neill, from London, was playing football on the beach by himself on the beautiful Caribbean island of Antigua’s Jumby Bay.
He vacations at the same beach every year, but this time he had an unforgettable experience.
Messi, Barcelona and Argentina’s all-time leading scorer, was relaxing with friends and family following the disappointing Copa America tournament.
Jorge Messi, Messi’s father and agent, noticed Mackenzie playing with a ball on the sand on his own and immediately invited him to join the footballing superstar and his eldest son Thiago.
“Messi was on the beach with his family. “I was alone and started kicking my ball a few feet away from where they were,” Mackenzie told the Argentine newspaper Ole.
“His father Jorge threw a ball to me and asked if I wanted to play with them, and then we played football for 45 minutes with Thiago and Messi.”
“Thiago is a fantastic player for his age, and he wasn’t afraid to play.” It was an honor to play alongside Messi.”
Because of the language barrier, Mackenzie didn’t get to speak with Messi much, but he did get translation from his wife Antonella Roccuzzo and ended up spending a lot of time with the Messi family.
On vacation, we’ve all made best friends, spending every minute with them before never hearing from them again, even if you have their MSN or BBM pin.
Mackenzie became friends with the son of the greatest player ever and ended up swimming with his new crew.
“He carried me on his shoulders, and Thiago followed me everywhere I went.” It was a lot of fun playing in the water with Leo. He acted like any other father. I also realized Messi enjoyed watching his son interact with other children.
“I was playing with Thiago the last night Messi and his family were here, and I gave him my football to keep.”
“However, he chased me down the beach and insisted I keep it. Messi and his wife smiled as they said their goodbyes. “I will not forget them.”
Imagine being able to tell all of your classmates. And, of course, it’s one for the grandchildren later in life. A crazy story.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings