Lionel Messi goes viral for press conference moment with Inter Miami shirt – as fans

Lionel Messi versus Cristiano Ronaldo has been a decade-long debate for many fans, and those comparisons have ventured into unexpected territory following the Inter Miami star’s press conference last week.

Messi spoke to local media in Miami ahead of the club’s Leagues Cup victory over Nashville, and held up his new club’s shirt before the press conference began.

And fans went wild at the No. 10’s ability to quickly fold the jersey back up in just two steps.

Of course, as with the rest of his career, Messi’s folding skills were compared to Ronaldo’s, with one fan hilariously digging up a 2018 video from the striker’s Juventus unveiling.

Fans went wild at Messi’s shirt-folding ability, which was shown off last week

In the clip, the Portuguese star can be seen taking far longer than his rival to fold up the Old Lady’s shirt.

Ronaldo, now of Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, would go on to have a strong first season with Juventus, scoring 21 league goals and leading the club to a Serie A title.  

Messi went on to lead Miami to its first trophy on Saturday night, as the club beat Nashville 10-9 on penalties to win the Leagues Cup.

Messi’s shirt-folding was compared to Cristiano Ronaldo’s attempts in 2018 with Juventus

Lionel Messi helped lift Miami to a Leagues Cup victory on Saturday night vs. Nashville

The Argentine opened the scoring with a tremendous upper-90 strike in the 23rd minute before converting his penalty in the shootout.

Through seven appearances for Miami, Messi has already scored 10 goals, with his club – still the bottom-dwellers of MLS’ standings – not losing any of those matches.

Messi will try and get Miami closer to another trophy on Wednesday when his side faces Cincinnati in the US Open Cup semifinal.

And he’ll make his MLS debut on Saturday when his side visits the New York Red Bulls.