For 17-year-old Vedang Sharma, a diehard Lionel Messi fan from Kolkata, missing out on tickets for the Argentine legend's city event was a heartbreak. But what followed was a surreal journey that turned a dream into an unforgettable reality, culminating in him sharing a football pitch with his icon.
From Kolkata Disappointment to Hyderabad Hope
Vedang, a Class XII student at Sri Sri Academy, was devastated when he couldn't secure a seat for Messi's Kolkata appearance. However, his father, Dilip Sharma, had a work trip planned to Hyderabad on the same Saturday. A friend mentioned having possible contacts at the Uppal stadium, the venue for the next leg of Messi's tour. Vedang decided to tag along, clinging to a sliver of hope.
Against the odds, the contacts worked, and Vedang found himself inside the stadium. "I was so happy to get an opportunity to see Messi from a distance," he recalled. The event was a compact 7v7 exhibition match featuring Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy. While Messi, along with Inter Miami teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, did not play, they were present on the sidelines.
The Unbelievable Call-Up to the Messi All Stars
As players warmed up, organizers found themselves one player short for the 'Messi All Stars' team. Their search for a volunteer ended at the wide-eyed teenager near the touchline. Vedang, a left winger and striker who has played football since age five and represented his school nationally, was suddenly called into the fray.
"When they called me in, my legs were wobbling in excitement. I told myself — just get on the pitch, run, breathe," the Ballygunge resident recounted. He was quickly given a jersey, briefed, and ushered onto the field to line up against the team led by the Telangana CM.
A Handshake and Passes with a Legend
Though his team lost the friendly match, the result was meaningless for Vedang. The true prize came after the final whistle. Lionel Messi walked over, shook his hand, posed for photographs, and even joined a passing drill with the young players.
"He and De Paul looked at me, smiled and patted my back saying 'Vamos'," Vedang said, describing the Spanish phrase for 'Let's go'. He estimates he exchanged at least ten passes with Messi himself—ordinary movements that felt like an entire conversation. "That handshake — I keep replaying it. It still feels like a dream," he added, his Instagram now filled with mementos from the day.
Vedang credits his parents' support, who always emphasized education but also acknowledged that some chances come only once. When asked if he's boasting to friends and neighbours, he laughed. "They are jealous, of course. But I tell them that dreams still come true. All you need to do is not to give up." His incredible story stands as a testament to the magic of football and the rewards of relentless passion.
