Before helping Inter Miami thump Atlanta United 4-0 in the Leagues Cup with a ruthlessly clinical demonstration of his skills, Lionel Messi gave a demonstration of his fatherly side: by comforting the sobbing son of DJ Khaled, who had walked out with the Argentinian legend as a mascot during Inter Miami game on Wednesday.
DJ Khaled’s son Asahd appears to have been reduced to tears after being overwhelmed at the experience of walking out with his idol in front of a packed stadium. But Messi — who is a father to three sons, Mateo, Thiago and Ciro — was seen placing both his hands on the shoulders of the boy and speaking to him.
Messi consoling DJ Khaled’s son who was crying 🥺❤️ pic.twitter.com/UZyhyIAmKS
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) July 25, 2023
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DJ Khaled was a shade more excited than his son and the fans in the stands, as he too posted a video of him excitedly telling his son that he was about to walk out on the pitch with Messi and then running to the pitch-side private box to show his son standing in front of the forward.
In the video, Asahd can be seen asking his father, “Where do I stop?”
Messi and DJ Khaled 🫂pic.twitter.com/x1YSOSCAir
— All About Argentina 🛎🇦🇷 (@AlbicelesteTalk) July 26, 2023
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Messi scored twice and set up a third one in his first start for Inter Miami. He’s now scored three goals in two games.
Thanks to Messi’s magic, Miami had a 3-0 lead by halftime, the first such lead in club history.
Messi exited in the 78th minute to a standing ovation, with many in the crowd wearing his No. 10 jersey. As The Associated Press reported, many fans also headed for the exits themselves once Messi was on the bench.