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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><ul><li>World champions crossed paths in Florida</li><li>UFC star is a big fan of Argentine icon</li><li>MLS audiences being wowed by all-time great</li></ul><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

Lionel Messi's personality 'surprised' UFC title holder Ilia Topuria as he reflects on MLS meeting with Inter Miami superstar

Major League Soccer

Inter Miami CF

New York Red Bulls

<p>Featherweight champion Topuria recently took in a visit to Florida to catch a glimpse of eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi in action. He was among those in attendance at Chase Stadium for a MLS clash between Inter Miami and the Colorado Rapids.</p><div class="affiliate-button-container theme-1" data-name="Apple TV"><div class="affiliate-button"><img class="logo" height="40" width="72" src="https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt2de198b67da95a2e/65709d2436cf7d0407034ef9/Apple_TV.png" style="width: 72px; height: 40px;"><span class="affiliate-text">Get the MLS Season Pass today!</span></div><a href="https://tv.apple.com/channel/tvs.sbd.7000?itsct=goal_mls&amp;itscg=30200&amp;at=1010l39UY" class="affiliate-button-link" target="_blank">Stream games now</a></div>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Topuria got the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/world-champions-unite-lionel-messi-ufc-ilia-topuria-starstruck-el-matador-mls-inter-miami/bltf335f14d25447592#csd0701dd1b2585b2d" target="_blank">opportunity to rub shoulders with Messi in the United States</a>, landing himself a prized No.10 shirt having already <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/ultimate-football-champion-jude-bellingham-poses-ufc-belt-ilia-topuria-real-madrid-stars-sergio-busquets-santiago-bernabeu/blteb15477299814c7d" target="_blank">crossed paths with Real Madrid superstars such as Jude Bellingham and David Alaba</a> this season – as he prepares for a huge fight at Santiago Bernabeu.</p><center><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C5dhnHJLqUX/?img_index=1" data-instgrm-version="13" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Topuria was honoured to spend time in the company of Argentine legend Messi and has told <a href="https://www.ufcespanol.com/ " target="_blank"><em>UFC Espanol</em></a> of why that <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/absurd-lionel-messi-barber-story-miami-highlights-how-normal-eight-time-ballon-d-or-winner-is/blte0723cf9124f86f7" target="_blank">meeting was everything that he hoped for and more</a>: “I have always admired him since I was young. Messi has been one of the people who have inspired me a lot. The humility he transmits and how legendary he is, it makes him even greater. His personality has surprised me even more in person. It was a source of pride for me.”</p>

WHAT TOPURIA SAID

<p>Messi remains <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-inter-miami-mls-super-bowl-taylor-swift-nfl/blt39d85cdceedca32c" target="_blank">the star attraction in MLS</a> this season and, after recovering from his latest injury setback, is up to five goals for the 2024 campaign. <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/video-lionel-messi-have-fun-patrick-mahomes-meeting-soccer-nfl-royalty-inter-miami-mls/blt5fc40e24fcbc042b" target="_blank">A-list guests continue to attend his matches</a> across the United States, with the most decorated player of all-time determined to <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/mls-watch-out-inter-miami-lionel-messi-win-everything-2024-crazy-eighth-ballon-d-or/blt8adde7fc64f6ebb3 " target="_blank">add to his trophy collection while in Miami</a>.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR MESSI?

Lionel Messi's personality 'surprised' UFC title holder Ilia Topuria as he reflects on MLS meeting with Inter Miami superstar | Goal.com United Arab Emirates

UFC title holder Ilia Topuria admits to being left pleasantly “surprised” by Lionel Messi’s personality during a meeting with the Inter Miami icon.

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