Groundskeeper Fired for Getting Messi's Autograph at Inter Miami Stadium

A groundskeeper at the Inter Miami stadium, part of Major League Soccer (MLS), has been dismissed after obtaining an autograph from football star Lionel Messi. According to reports from RIA Novosti, referencing the Argentine publication La Nacion, Cristian Salamanque, a Colombian, has been living in Miami for a year and a half and was working for a local company before his stint at the Inter stadium.

The publication notes that all stadium employees are required to maintain professional conduct and are prohibited from asking athletes for autographs.

“I was cleaning the restrooms in the area where the buses were parked. I was there when the bus stopped, and the players got off. Messi was the last to exit. I called out to him, showed him a marker and an Argentina national team jersey. He gave me his autograph. Security personnel immediately came over, called me, and fired me, but every moment spent with Messi was worth it,” Salamanque stated.

It should be recalled that Inter Miami, co-owned by former England captain David Beckham, announced the signing of Messi on July 15. The 36-year-old Argentine has been a ten-time champion in Spain with FC Barcelona and a four-time winner of the Champions League.