Lionel Messi has a very strict rule about shirt swaps, but he made a rare exception with the Real Madrid legend.

Since joining Inter Miami, Messi’s shirt has been coveted by opposing players and wants to get memorabilia of the Argentine football legend.

Dax McCarty swapped shirts with the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner after Inter Miami beat Nashville in the Leagues Cup final . The player then shared a photo of himself wearing a Messi shirt after the defeat, with the caption: “Not a complete defeat”.

Nashville players are the ones who take the initiative to change shirts because Messi very rarely does this on his own. In 2019, he revealed that his general rule is that he will not actively ask opposing players to exchange shirts with him.

But there is one exception: Zinedine Zidane. Messi could not pass up the opportunity to ask for the shirt of the French player in the El Clasico match. Even with the rivalry between Barca and Real, Messi still couldn’t resist Zizou’s desire for a shirt.

“I don’t ask for shirts, I usually trade them, but I asked Zidane once,” Messi told TyC Sports. “If there’s an Argentinian, I’ll talk to him, but unless someone asks me, I won’t ask anyone.”

Of course, Zidane has had an incredible career at club and national level, winning a lot of major trophies. He won championships in Italy and Spain with Juventus and Real, and won the World Cup in 1998 and the Euro in 2000.

This attacking midfielder also won the prestigious Golden Ball award in 1998. Zidane is one of the greatest players in history and Messi greatly admires his talent.

Messi helps Inter Miami stars get promotedMessi’s impact at Inter Miami not only affects the results of this team but also helps a lot for other players. Accordingly, both Benjamin Cremaschi and Drake Callender can be on the US team list to attend the upcoming friendlies against Uzbekistan and Oman.