Pitch invader bows down, hugs Messi in Copa America semifinal
One very passionate Lionel Messi fan got a few precious seconds with his apparent idol on Tuesday night at Copa America.
A pitch invader managed to hug Messi and bow down to him just as the second half of Argentina's 4-0 thrashing of the United States was set to begin. The non-violent man donning an Argentina shirt ran up with a pen in hand, hoping to secure an autograph, and a patient Messi stood in there and took the adulation before security chased the fan away and eventually escorted him off the field.
Messi's play Tuesday was certainly worship-worthy, as he assisted on two goals and scored on a wondrous free kick, which set Argentina's all-time scoring record at 55 goals.
As it turns out this was a very premeditated plan. The pitch invader posted a few suggestive tweets that he was going to make is run and then had someone Periscope the episode on his Twitter account.
It comes just days after a pitch invader ran onto the field after Portugal's Euro 2016 draw vs. Austria and managed to grab a selfie with Cristiano Ronaldo, who shooed off security and allowed it to happen.
