Socceroos star Cam Devlin gets Lionel Messi’s shirt as Argentina skipper scores against Australia
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The real winner! Socceroos star Cam Devlin is presented with Lionel Messi’s shirt after the Argentina captain marked his 1,000th game by scoring his first goal in the World Cup knockout phase to eliminate Australia in the round of 16.
Cameron Devlin may not have played a minute of football at the World Cup, but he secured one of the most cherished memories of the tournament.
The Socceroos midfielder was an unused substitute as Australia exited the World Cup following a 2-1 loss against Argentina on Sunday morning (AEDT), but he left the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Lionel Messi’s jersey. .
Images shared on Twitter show Messi heading towards the dressing room shortly after collecting the Man of the Match award, before stopping and exchanging words with someone off the pitch.
Lionel Messi celebrated the 1,000th appearance of his career with a wonderful goal for Argentina
As the Argentina captain proceeds to remove his shirt, the camera pans over to Devlin, who shakes the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner’s hand and hands over his still-folded shirt.
Messi does the same with his, which Devlin, one of six Socceroos who didn’t see a minute of action in Qatar, quickly tucks under his training jersey, before the two go their separate ways.
A prized possession under normal circumstances, the shirt Messi wore against Australia could be a true collector’s item.
Messi removed his shirt after collecting the Man of the Match award in the tunnel
He then handed it over to Cameron Devlin, who in return gave him his Socceroos jersey.
The round of 16 tie against the Socceroos was the 1,000th game of the Argentine maestro’s career, who scored with a superb finish to give his team the lead 35 minutes into the first half.
The goal was Messi’s ninth World Cup goal, one behind Gabriel Batistuta, La Albiceleste’s record goalscorer in the tournament, and his first in the round of 16.
Of course, it could also be the last Argentina jersey Messi wins a match in, should Lionel Scaloni’s men take on the Netherlands in the quarter-finals on Friday.
Socceroos boss Graham Arnold has admitted to being in awe of Messi’s brilliance, after the Argentina captain put in an excellent performance.
Devlin did not play a minute in the World Cup in Australia
“He’s one of the greatest of all time,” he said.
‘We really work hard not to be in awe of him, for the great player he is.
‘But wow, he’s remarkable.
“I had the privilege of playing against Diego Maradona, and now I train against Messi. They are both wonderful players and Argentina should be very proud and happy to have players of that caliber.”