One Chelsea wonderkid had a night to remember after swapping shirts with football icon Lionel Messi on Sunday night.
Kendry Paez is regarded as one of the hottest young prospects in football and already has a deal agreed to join the Premier League giants.
That move will see him head to Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2025, after his 18th birthday.
But despite his tender years, Paez is already part of Ecuador’s senior national team having made his debut for the club last autumn.
Ecuador faced Argentina in a friendly match early on Monday morning, a game that saw the current world champions earn a 1-0 win thanks to Angel Di Maria’s first half effort.
For Paez, the moment to remember came after the full-time whistle when Messi handed the teenager his match-worn no.10 shirt.
READ MORE ON LIONEL MESSI
While having just turned 17, Paez has taken great inspiration from watching Messi and cites him as one of his footballing role models.
He even wears the no.10 shirt for Ecuador himself as he looks to follow in the Barcelona legend’s footsteps.
Messi is regarded as arguably the greatest player of all-time having won eight Ballon d’Or awards and countless club honours including the World Cup with his country.
At 36, the Inter Miami star is coming to the end of his career, while Paez is just getting started on a journey that he hopes can lead him to the top of the game as well.
Currently played for Independiente del Valle, Paez was joined on the pitch by two other Chelsea stars, Enzo Fernandez of Argentina and Moises Caicedo who started the game for Ecuador.
The match was a warm up ahead of the Copa America in which Messi will be desperate to help Argentina to retain the title, while Paez will be hoping to make his mark under the eyes of the world.
News Summary:
- Lionel Messi swaps shirts with 17-year-old Chelsea wonderkid who was wearing no.10
- Check all news and articles from the latest Football updates.