Inter Miami goalkeeper Francisco Ranieri has turned the autograph of Lionel Messi signed on his left arm into a tattoo. Just hours after meeting the legendary playmaker, Ranieri said he had to immortalise the autograph because Lionel Messi is his idol which he has longed to meet.
Apart from the millions of fans scattered around the nooks and crannies of the world, Francisco Ranieri has shown that even fellow Argentine footballers are strong and passionate about meeting Lionel Messi.
Francisco Ranieri had a rare opportunity to come in contact with the legendary playmaker and created a memory out of it.
During the international break, Argentina set up their camp in Miami, where they tackled Honduras in an international friendly.
Lionel Messi, who made a record appearance with the team, scored twice to help the Argentines cruised to a 3-0 win over Honduras.
After the game, Argentina used the Florida training ground and were able to meet with Inter Miami players including Francisco Ranieri, who was turned meeting Lionel Messi.
Inter Miami Goalkeeper, Francisco Ranieri had a shot with Lionel Messi after handing over a marker pen to the PSG star, who signed his signature on his forearm.
A happy Ranieri, who had longed for the moment, admitted having fulfilled his dream and headed to a tattoo shop to make Lionel Messi’s inked signatory a perfect reminder of the moment.
Ranieri, who plays as a goalkeeper for the Inter Miami youth team, took time and penned down his feelings after the surprised encounter. Ranieri said meeting Lionel Messi is the best day of his life.
“The best day ever. I fulfilled a dream yesterday (Monday, September 26, 2022)”, the goalkeeper said.
“Shared the pitch with the players I admire, with my national team.”
He called Messi his idol and role model, who is incredible on and off the pitch. He maintained that he has been so excited to come across the player.
He noted: “Met my idol, the best player ever, an incredible person on and off the pitch, my role model!
“The excitement to see you and see that you agreed to sign my arm is indescribable.”
Ranieri added that Lionel Messi has helped him fulfill his dream of longing to meet the record 7 times Ballon d’Or winner and said he will never forget the day after turning the autograph into a signature.
“Leo you fulfilled a dream, and every day I look at my arm I will remember the excitement I felt when I met you”, he said.
“I can’t put into words how great you are!
“So much sacrifice and so many things left aside, to live dreams like the one I got to live yesterday.”
Lionel Messi had a poor start last season with PSG after moving on a free transfer to the French Ligue 1 giants. He scored only 11 goals; his all-time low since beginning his professional football career.
However, the stats have changed this season. With 8 matches into the 2022/23 French Ligue 1 season, Messi has scored 6 goals and has 8 assists this season.
He has admitted being happy at the club and finally adapting to the league, which he had struggled with previously.
Nevertheless, his contract with the Parisians ends at the end of this season, and there are talks of Barcelona planning urgent measures to bring him back to Camp Nou either as a player or ambassador.
