Lionel Messi has publicly congratulated Argentinian Olympic gold medallist Torres Gil.
The footballing icon knows all about coming first in the Games after achieving the feat with Argentina football team in 2008 in Beijing.
Now, the Barcelona legend is watching on from home, cheering on his compatriots.
That includes BMX star Gil, who posted a score of 94.82 in his first run in the freestyle – enough to win Olympic gold.
This was all despite him not being expected to win the event. Team GB’s Kieran Reilly came in second.
Messi posted a snap of Gil kissing his gold medal on his Instagram story.
Under the photo, he wrote: “Congratulations, enjoy that gold very much.”
Gil is the first Argentinian to win an individual gold in a cycling event and is the first from the nation to win at the Games this summer.
“Total craziness, it brought tears to my eyes,” he said after his win. “The level was extraordinary.
“The best athletes of the planet were here in Paris. I competed against the best of the world and I felt incredible; I feel part of this incredible universe.”
Messi netted two goals in the lead up to Argentina’s Olympic gold medal win.
He played alongside other big footballing names Pablo Zabaleta, Sergio Aguero and Angel Di Maria.
Despite still playing football for Inter Miami and Argentina – and even winning Copa America with La Albiceleste last month – he ruled himself out of the Olympics earlier this summer.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, now 37, admitted it would be ‘too much’ to participate.
The reigning World Cup champions face France in a grudge match on Friday in the Olympics quarter-final.
The match follows the controversy caused by Argentina players, including Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez, singing a racist chant about the France national team on Instagram Live after their Copa America win.
News Summary:
- Lionel Messi sends message to Argentina hero who caused Olympic upset in BMX event
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