Messi and Inter Miami got the better of Dallas in the Leagues Cup on Sunday night, with the visitors prevailing on penalty kicks at the Toyota Stadium after a dramatic 4-4 draw in normal and extra-time.
While the result was a disappointing one for him, Velasco will always look back on the game with fond memories after locking horns with compatriot Messi, who many consider to be the greatest soccer player in history.
And if lining up against Argentina’s World Cup-winning captain wasn’t enough, the 21-year-old also managed to get his jersey after the match.
‘It’s a game that I will never forget in my life,’ Velasco told ESPN, via infobae. ‘I played against Messi, he gave me his shirt and a hug.’
FC Dallas winger and former Argentina Under-17 star Alan Velasco (right) has opened up on facing Lionel Messi
After losing to Messi’s Inter Miami on penalties, Velasco swapped jerseys with his compatriot
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He then added: ‘I asked for it, clearly. I’m happy on that side.’
Velasco, who moved Dallas 3-1 ahead at one stage of the night, earned the right to ask Messi for his jersey after winning a coin toss in the Dallas dressing room.
When exchanging shirts, the former Independiente’s back tattoo of Argentina legend Diego Maradona could be seen as he shared a hug with Messi.
The countrymen were also seen locked in conversation during the game, with Velasco adding: ‘I spoke [about] something that a friend of his had told me, nothing bad. Where he grew up in his childhood, that’s why he was surprised.’
Messi produced some more magic for Miami in Sunday’s match, firing in a spectacular late free-kick to salvage a 4-4 draw and send the tie to extra-time.
After a 30-minute deadlock penalty kicks were required, with Paxton Pomykal producing the only miss in the shootout as Tata Martino’s men advanced to the quarter-finals of the Leagues Cup.
Messi sent the game to extra-time by netting a late free-kick in the Leagues Cup last-16 tie
Velasco also impressed on Sunday night and got on the scoresheet himself for Dallas
Despite his team’s exit, Velasco was impressive throughout the game and showed glimpses of his potential, while also getting on the scoresheet himself.
‘We are leaving sad,’ he concluded. ‘It was a game that we had two goals in favor of, we played a great game until 80 minutes in and we lost concentration – or I don’t know what happened.’
Next up for Velasco and Dallas is a trip to Philadelphia Union on Sunday August 20, before they host Austin six days later.
Messi and Inter Miami will contest their last-eight Leagues Cup fixture this Friday.
