On the surface, Lionel Messi appeared deeply frustrated. Following a tense 2-2 draw between Inter Miami and Palmeiras at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, the Argentine star was seen storming off the pitch, visibly shaken by the dramatic late collapse. But while his exit from the field hinted at disappointment, it was what happened next, out of the public eye, that truly revealed Messi’s character.
Messi had every reason to feel disappointed. After a dominant performance for much of the match at Hard Rock Stadium, Inter Miami surrendered a 2-0 lead in the final minutes.
Tadeo Allende opened the scoring in the 16th minute, giving Inter early momentum. Then, Luis Suarez struck in the 65th, putting the MLS side firmly in control. But the Brazilian side responded with a late surge: Paulinho pulled one back with 10 minutes to play, and Mauricio completed the comeback in the 87th minute, leaving Messi and his teammates stunned.
As the final whistle blew, the Argentine star could be seen shaking his head and muttering to himself, walking straight off the pitch in silence. But despite the visible frustration, what came next behind the scenes was a moment of sportsmanship and humility that didn’t go unnoticed.
Tunnel encounter that spoke volumes
According to Marca, Messi had a surprise encounter in the tunnel with former Brazilian international Djalminha, who was at the tournament as part of the Brazilian media contingent. The pair, old acquaintances from past footballing circles, shared a brief but meaningful exchange.
“Leo has given me his shirt. We already knew each other,” Djalminha told Marca. “I always tell him that when he does a nutmeg, he should do it forward, not backwards (laughs). But Leo is a phenomenal footballer, I love him.”
Despite the draw feeling more like a defeat, Messi paused to smile, share an embrace, and offer his match-worn shirt to the former playmaker. Djalminha, clearly touched by the gesture, later shared a photo of their moment on Instagram, with a message that underscored the mutual respect between the two footballing greats.
“Happy birthday @leomessi, it’s your birthday but I got the present!! Thank you for the shirt and for continuing to give us joy with your football! GENIUS,” he wrote.
