Ghana defender Lalas Abubakar met Lionel Messi after his team Colorado Rapids held the Argentine superstar’s Inter Miami to a 2-2 draw in the Major League Soccer.
The 29-year-old did not feature in the game but got onto the pitch to exchange pleasantries with the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner.
Messi came off the bench to score the equalizer for Inter Miami before they took the lead through Afonso but Colorado Rapids got the leveler two minutes to the end of the game.
Lalas Abubakar has now received US citizenship a decade after moving to America.
At the age of 29, the former defender from the University of Ghana embarked on a journey in 2014 that led him to the United States, where he pursued both his education and career aspirations.
His path led him to join the University of Dayton Soccer team, the Dayton Flyers, where he dedicated two years honing his skills on the field. Subsequently, he was drafted into Major League Soccer, marking a significant milestone in his career trajectory.
His talents didn't go unnoticed as Columbus Crew secured his services following stints with Charlotte Eagles and Michigan Bucks. The Ghanaian center-back spent a fruitful two years at Crew before making a move to Colorado Rapids in 2019.