Revealed: Referee beat MLS stars to Lionel Messi shirt request – with match official landing prized memento after braving freezing -22C temperatures in Kansas City

Lionel Messi is accustomed to fielding shirt swap requests, but saw the match referee ask for his jersey during a freezing meeting with Sporting KC.

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• Inter Miami in Champions Cup action
• Temperature dropped well below freezing
• Official made a point of asking for No.10 jersey

• Getty
  

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Argentine superstar lined up against MLS rivals in Inter Miami’s opening CONCACAF Champions Cup clash of 2025. He registered his first official goal of the calendar year in said contest, which was enough to secure a narrow 1-0 win.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Messi and Co had to contend with some remarkable playing conditions in Kansas City, with temperatures dropping to -8 degrees Fahrenheit (-22C) by half-time. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner made sure to wrap up against the elements.

• Getty
  

  DID YOU KNOW?

  He will have been in rush to remove items of clothing at the final whistle, but did agree to pass his No.10 shirt on to another big fan. The man in question was Mexican official Marco Antonio Ortiz Nara, who made his play at the end of 90 minutes.

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• WHAT NEXT FOR LIONEL MESSI & INTER MIAMI?

  It is reported by that Messi passed over the prized possession in the dressing room afterwards, so as to avoid any controversy on the field. He will be back in MLS action on Sunday, as another bid for ultimate glory gets underway there, when Inter Miami play host to New York City FC.