Lionel Messi's beautiful gesture for rival player's son

Lionel Messi has shown what a class act he is with an incredible gesture for the young son of an opposition player.

The Argentine superstar has always been a humble hero, but his reaction to meeting Real Betis midfielder Andres Guardado’s son is simply heartwarming.

The beautiful moment occurred in January after Messi’s Barcelona beat Guardado’s Betis 5-0, but the touching behind-the-scenes video was only published online on Monday.

Guardado’s wife took to Instagram to show how the Mexican player can be seen holding his son outside Barcelona’s away dressing room shortly after the match.

When Messi leaves the dressing room, having scored a brace in the thrashing, the child screams “Messi” and the Barcelona forward quickly sees he has a young supporter at the door.

Rather than just a quick hello, Messi gives the youngster a high-five before taking him off Guardado’s hands, holding him and having a chat with the child.

Messi is happy to pose for a couple of photos, with Guardado snapping away, before handing a delighted child back to his Father, giving the Real Betis man a hug and making his way out of the tunnel.

The camera pans back to the youngster’s face and he is clearly delighted to have met his hero – and despite the full Real Betis kit, it’s clear where his loyalties lie.

Guardado’s actions also show his classy side – not too proud to allow his son to idolise his fierce rival.

The winger once said about Messi: “He is a benchmark in world football, for me he is the best in history and it will be a pride to tell my grandchildren that I lived in the time of Leo Messi.”

“One of the best things football has given me, how could it be that I have 20 photos with Messi and I do not have the ball in any of them.”

With Matt Storey – Yahoo Sport UK