“I’ll Definitely Cry,”: Tennis Star Victoria Azarenka On When She Meets Lionel Messi

• Lionel Messi has been making waves on and off the pitch since his move to the United States
• He transformed the worst team in the MLS to one that is unbeaten and possibly the strongest
• The Argentina captain has attracted celebrities to his matches since his debut for the Herons

Lionel Messi probably isn't aware he has a notable fan waiting to meet him - and she has already shared what her emotions would be like when the two finally meet.

Messi is soccer's biggest name in the United States at the moment, having raised the roof since he joined Inter Miami after running down his Paris Saint-Germain contract.

His effect is felt on the pitch, in the stands at stadiums, on social media, and in the club account books, with Miami's revenue expected to quadruple to $200 million in his first year at the club, as analysed by Sportico.

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Football

Celebrities and stars from other sports in America have been spotted at the Florida franchises' games including Selena Gomez, who was among big names announced to be present at the 3-1 win over LAFC.

How Azarenka would react to meeting Messi

Former tennis world number one, Victoria Azarenka has admitted she has been a Lionel Messi fan since his Barcelona days and is delighted by how he creates something out of nothing.

Speaking to ESPN at the US Open, the current world number 18 - who is yet to have a one-on-one with the Argentine superstar - revealed what her emotions would be when it finally happened.

"I've been a great fan and followed him, I still do. I could have met him, but I'm not sure I'm ready yet. I'd definitely cry, I'm pretty sure I'd cry because I'd be very shy... One day, it's going to happen whenever it's going to be the right time," she said.

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Athletics

The two-time Australian Open winner, whose son is named Leo, was at the DRV PNK Stadium for Miami's 4-0 win over Atlanta United.

However, she was too shy to meet Messi and instead shared a message on her Instagram account:

"My selfie with Messi 😂 My face 🙈 anywhere closer than that I would probably/most likely cry 😂," she wrote.

Selena Gomez's lovely message to Messi

Sports Brief also reported on Selena Gomez's message to Messi after watching him live in Los Angeles and going viral for her reaction to a goal miss.

After the game, the Texas-born singer was approached for her comments and for her message to Messi, to which she replied, "I love you very much."