The “Messi Fever” is at its all-time high in the United States. Fans have been asking for the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner’s autograph at every possible opportunity.
The trend remains during Inter Miami matches as well. Not even fans, but employees are desperate to get an autograph from the FIFA World Cup winner, even if it comes at a cost.
A Colombian man, named Cristian Salamanca, who was working as a cleaner at the DRV PNK Stadium lost his job over asking for an autograph by Messi.
Salamanca was hired by a cleaning company that look after the sports venue and had his first shift for Inter's game against Orlando City in the Leagues Cup round of 32.
The Colombian wore Argentina’s jersey underneath his uniform and was positioned to avail the opportunity to meet Messi.
He did get Messi’s autograph, but it came at a big cost as Salamanca ended up losing his job.
"I had to clean the bathrooms in the sector where the buses park. Fortunately, I was out there when the bus arrived and all the players got out. The last one was Messi," Salamanca told the Argentine newspaper La Nacion.
“I yelled at him: 'Hey, world champion!' He turned to look. I lifted up my uniform shirt and I had down the shirt of the Argentine team and a marker.
"He gave me his autograph. Security came right away, they took me out and fired me from my job, but it was worth every second!"
In the job description, it was written clearly that the employees working at the DRV PNK stadium are not allowed to bother Messi or any other footballer.
But Salamanca, who put passion over the job, went against that and was sacked on the spot after getting Messi’s autograph.
His wife, who was also working inside the ground, had to collect his belongings.