After snubbing fans at a recent charity event at Soldier Field in Chicago, Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi has attempted to make amends.
Fans shelled out $2,500 for the chance to meet the Argentine international before his Messi and Friends Tour charity game in the Windy City on July 6.
Among the group of devastated supporters were Tony Sherwood and his 9-year-old son, Hudson.
Young Hudson has six Messi jerseys, so one can only imagine how saddened he was to get stood up by his idol.
Tony told For The Win that, on the way home from the game, Hudson had a heartbreaking message for his father: "Dad, next time I get a jersey, I don't want it to be Messi."
But a man named Risto Mejide, a Spanish publicist, author and musician, reached out to him after reading the story.
Through a connection, Mejide got in touch with Messi and had him send Hudson an autographed Barcelona jersey with the message: "Para Hudson de tu amigo. Leo" ("For Hudson from your friend. Leo").
The Sherwoods received the package on Wednesday, but Hudson is currently at camp and hasn't seen the surprise yet.
"Although Hudson didn't get to meet him, I am grateful that they did something nice for Hudson," Tony said. "It made my wife cry - although not very hard."
So despite Hudson saying that he was never going to wear a Messi jersey again, his dad thinks he will love the gift.
Tony added: "He is nine, he will be thrilled. Kids are very short-term. I think he will be very excited."
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| Hudson Sherwood has recieved an autographed Barcelona jersey from his idol Lionel Messi Photo: Facebook/tony.sherwood.96 |
Fans shelled out $2,500 for the chance to meet the Argentine international before his Messi and Friends Tour charity game in the Windy City on July 6.
But Messi was a no-show and fans were left heartbroken.
Among the group of devastated supporters were Tony Sherwood and his 9-year-old son, Hudson.
Young Hudson has six Messi jerseys, so one can only imagine how saddened he was to get stood up by his idol.
Tony told For The Win that, on the way home from the game, Hudson had a heartbreaking message for his father: "Dad, next time I get a jersey, I don't want it to be Messi."
But a man named Risto Mejide, a Spanish publicist, author and musician, reached out to him after reading the story.
Through a connection, Mejide got in touch with Messi and had him send Hudson an autographed Barcelona jersey with the message: "Para Hudson de tu amigo. Leo" ("For Hudson from your friend. Leo").
The Sherwoods received the package on Wednesday, but Hudson is currently at camp and hasn't seen the surprise yet.
"Although Hudson didn't get to meet him, I am grateful that they did something nice for Hudson," Tony said. "It made my wife cry - although not very hard."
So despite Hudson saying that he was never going to wear a Messi jersey again, his dad thinks he will love the gift.
Tony added: "He is nine, he will be thrilled. Kids are very short-term. I think he will be very excited."
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