Fan invades pitch at U.S.-Argentina match, bows down to Messi
A fan ran into the pitch at the U.S. match against Argentina and got an autograph and two hugs from his hero, Leo Messi.
Lionel Messi has some of the most passionate fans in the world – including Michael Soto, who attended Argentina's Copa América semifinal win over the United States in Houston on Tuesday night, and took it as a prime opportunity for a close-up meeting with his idol.
Soto intended to jump onto the soccer pitch in front of seventy-some thousand people in order to meet the Argentine striker. Soto even tweeted about his plan before putting it into action.
At the start of the second half, with Argentina up 2-0 thanks in part to a spectacular free kick goal from Messi, Soto got his courage up and jumped onto the field.
He ran across the pitch to Messi, and – after falling to his feet – got an autograph and two hugs from the best player in the world.
Lacking an immediate reaction from security, Soto took off his shirt to reveal his Twitter handle written across his chest. Security guards eventually caught up to him, and he was arrested.
The entire incident was also captured on Periscope.
As for the rest of the game, Argentina went on to beat the U.S., 4-0, to grab the first spot in the Copa América finals.
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