“Never seen a fighter quickly embraced by global superstars” – MMA fans in awe as Ilia Topuria receives jersey from legendary Lionel Messi

Superstar Lionel Messi met Ilia Topuria, who's quickly becoming a combat sports icon.

“Never seen a fighter quickly embraced by global superstars” – MMA fans in awe as Ilia Topuria receives jersey from legendary Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi and Ilia Topuria (Source: Instagram/IMAGO)

Featherweight champ Ilia ‘El Matador’ Topuria aims to put his country at the forefront of representation in MMA history. Consequently, he is also an avid football fan and supports Real Madrid. However, his stake in soccer goes beyond just that. The newly minted 145-pound UFC champion recently met with Lionel Messi on Saturday.

Following his sensational knockout at UFC 298, Topuria attended the honorary kick-off at the Real Madrid vs. Sevilla game. The iconic Santiago Bernabeu Stadium hosted the game, where 80,000 Spanish fans produced prolific cheering at his homecoming. Sharing similar sentiments for the game, he had nothing but good things to say about Lionel Messi.

With one of the greatest legends in the history of sports…. An example for me… And a model for everyone]... With one of the biggest legends in the history of sports, He’s a great example for me and a role model for all...
Ilia Topuria via his IG (@iliatopuria)
YouTube video

The Inter Miami CF star returned the favor. Messi, now from MLS club Inter Miami, gifted Topuria his Number “10” Jersey. He assumed the captaincy of Barcelona in 2018 and won a record sixth Ballon d’Or in 2019. Receiving such a gift from Messi remains a sight to behold. A prime reaction on X (@MaincardFlo) read – “We have never seen a fighter so quickly embraced by global superstars after JUST winning a belt… wow indeed.“

FS Video
https://twitter.com/MaincardFlo/status/1776963523039646120

True to the sense, this isn’t Ilia Topuria’s only brush with international sports celebrities. The likes of Iker Casillas, Andres Iniesta, and 22-time Grand Slam winner Rafael Nadal had wished him before his title bout. Rallying unprecedented support, even coach Jorge Climent thinks he can sell out Santiago Bernabeu. The stardom of Topuria will only rise in the coming years.

Fight Fans react to Ilia Topuria meeting up with Lionel Messi

New featherweight champion Ilia Topuria’s interest in soccer now transcends more than his love for Spain. The Alicante-Georgian native recently met up with soccer superstar and World Cup winner Lionel Messi. This was at the Chase Stadium in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida – at Inter Miami’s home game versus Colorado.

Spanish champion Ilia Topuria is quickly rising to unbelievable levels of stardom
Spanish champion Ilia Topuria is quickly rising to unbelievable levels of stardom (Source: Instagram/UFC.br.com/Twitter)

The duo even posted a few snapshots together, one of which shows the soccer star gifting him his Number “10” Jersey. The matter has garnered much traction amongst fans of both sports. Here’s how some of them have accordingly reacted to it –

Fans have accordingly sounded off on both the superstars, irrespective of their differentiation. Concurrently, a few have also quipped at Topuria’s agent and/or management deserving a raise for such a refreshing post-fight tour. Consequently, with the fighter’s rapid rise to fame, UFC has been planning a future fight card in Spain. While nothing official, Topuria is the natural projection to defend his 145-pound belt at the Santiago Bernabéu – home of Real Madrid.

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