MESSI'S ADVENTURES IN BAKU

Undoubtedly, the visit of the legendary Lionel Messi to Baku was one of the most memorable events of the past year. The Argentine star, widely regarded as one of the most exceptional strikers in the history of football, is known for his remarkable performances on the field. Despite his brief visit to Baku, which spanned less than a day, Messi's presence left an indelible mark on the memories of numerous football enthusiasts worldwide.

Unique Messi

Messi's inaugural visit to Baku coincided with his primary rival in football, Cristiano Ronaldo's, second visit to Azerbaijan. Ronaldo participated in official matches as a member of the Portuguese national team. Due to Messi's nationality, Argentina, he participated in qualifying matches on the South American continent, which precluded the opportunity for Azerbaijani fans to witness him in person. Messi's unparalleled achievement in this regard is underscored by his record of winning the Ballon d'Or award eight times, a feat unmatched by any other player in the sport. Furthermore, Messi has been distinguished by his six consecutive wins of the "Golden Boot," a feat unparalleled by any other player in Europe. This unparalleled achievement stands as a testament to his exceptional talent and impact on the sport.

During his tenure with Barcelona, Messi secured ten Spanish La Liga titles, six Spanish Cup championships, five Spanish Super Cup victories, four UEFA Champions League titles, three UEFA Super Cup championships, and two FIFA Club World Cup championships. In 2022, Messi became the first player to win every major international football title, adding the World Cup championship with Argentina to his already extensive collection of accolades.

Rich Agenda

Presently, Messi is playing in the United States for the club Inter Miami. Prior to vacationing in Argentina following the domestic championship, Messi arrived in Azerbaijan. Accompanying Messi on his journey from the United States to Azerbaijan were teammates Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba.

Supporters of Messi from neighbouring countries, including Türkiye and Georgia, also converged in Baku to express their allegiance. A significant number of football enthusiasts, who had thoroughly examined the agenda of the Argentine's visit, endeavoured to capture photographs with him. It is noteworthy that, due to concerns regarding security, the specifics of Lionel Messi's visit were kept confidential until the final moment.

On December 11, the Argentinean football legend, along with fellow world stars Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba, paid a visit to the grave of the former national leader Heydar Aliyev at the Alley of Honourable Burial. Following this visit, the distinguished guests were received at the Heydar Aliyev Center by its director, Anar Alakbarov. The visitors were given a guided tour of the "Azerbaijani Carpet Dance of Knots" collection, and they also visited an exhibition of classic cars and admired the Garabagh horses.

The program culminated in a notable event: a meeting between Lionel Messi and his star teammates with football fans at Crystal Hall. This gathering, which took place at noon, resulted in many children missing their school classes. The event featured a screening of a documentary about Messi, attended by thousands of football enthusiasts. Upon taking the stage, Messi was met with a standing ovation from the attendees. The event also brought together children from Baku orphanages, children with disabilities, and children of the fallen, fostering a sense of unity and inclusivity. The event culminated in a series of memorable photographs. Following this, Messi engaged in a Q&A session with fans from children's football teams, offering them football balls and signing autographs that were distributed to the crowd.

The event attracted individuals from diverse age groups, underscoring the universal appeal of Messi's influence. The majority of these individuals expressed their admiration by donning jerseys from both the Argentina and Barcelona national teams. The event culminated with a performance by the esteemed Morandi band, which added to the ambience of the occasion.

Messi: "Thank you very much!"

During the course of the event, Lionel Messi expressed his gratitude to the Azerbaijani people for their hospitality. He stated that during his visit to Baku, he had a brief opportunity to become acquainted with the rich culture and people of Azerbaijan. On behalf of myself and my teammates, I extend our profound gratitude to all those who made this gathering possible. The level of support and hospitality exhibited during the event was truly exceptional. I am truly grateful for this experience."

Messi's visit to Baku received extensive coverage from prominent global internet platforms. According to the organizers, the funds raised from the meeting with Messi at Crystal Hall will be allocated for charitable purposes.

The final stop in Lionel Messi's Baku itinerary was the ancient restaurant Mugham in Icherisheher. The guests were treated to Azerbaijani cuisine and traditional music.

Messi's 12-hour visit to the capital of Azerbaijan proved to be a remarkable series of events. Azerbaijani admirers of Messi are currently anticipating a social media repost from Messi on his Instagram account.