Lionel Messi Fan Fired for Asking Inter Miami Star for Autograph While on Duty

• A fan in Inter Miami lost his job after asking Lionel Messi for an autograph
• Messi granted the man's wish, which is against the company's policy of behaving around footballers
• The former Barcelona star has set Miami on fire with breathtaking performances so far

Lionel Messi inadvertently got a man fired as he continues to end shockwaves in the United States of America. Messi recently signed for Inter Miami, bringing life to the American League with fans thronging to watch his games.

Celebrities led by LeBron James, Serena Williams and Kim Kardashian have led the mammoth fans in watching the three games he has so far played for the Inter Miami side.

The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner has already scored five goals, firing the David Beckham-owned side to the round of 16 of the Leagues Cup.

But apart from the increased number of ticket sales, among other factors, a man bizarrely lost his job after he asked Messi for an autograph.

Messi leaves fans speechless as he scores amazing freekick on Inter Miami debut, video

Football

How Messi 'got' fan fired

Salamanca was in charge of cleaning the toilets where buses park on of Messi's match days. The Colombian native explains that Messi was among the last to alight and he shouted his name. Luckily for him, the Argentine responded,

"The last one was Messi. It was enough to yell at him: 'Hey, world champion' that he turned to look. I lifted up my uniform shirt and I had the Argentina shirt underneath and a marker. He gave me his autograph," said Salamanca, as quoted by GOAL.

Unfortunately for him, he was immediately picked up by security personnel and fired from his job. But he has no regrets. Salamanca, and the rest of the employees, are bound by a strict code of conduct in their contract which includes behaving in a professional manner around the players, as added by the Mirror.

"Security came right away, they took me out and fired me from my job, but it was worth every second."

A happy Messi is good news for Miami - and Argentina

Football

Messi will be in action again on August 6 when they take on FC Dallas in the round of 16.

Updated Ballon d'Or rankings

Sports Brief had earlier reported that the UEFA Champions League final in Istanbul marked the end of the 2022/2023 European football season.

It was a gruelling period for all those involved, featuring a packed schedule that also saw all leagues take a lengthy break for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

The Mundial and the Champions League will be crucial in determining who will win the Ballon d'Or, with Haaland and Messi the favourites for this year.