Opposing Teammates Fight Over Lionel Messi's Game-Worn Shirt Like Teenaged Fanboys

Here is a story that does nothing but perpetuate Soccer's "bunch of flopping sissies" reputation.

Bayer Leverkusen lost not only the match to Messi and Barcelona on Tuesday but whatever dignity the team once had. Two Leverkusen teammates got into a little spat over who would get Messi's shirt as a souvenir. Defender "Michal Kadlec was keen to get his hands on the three-time Ballon d'Or winner's shirt at half-time, but a row broke out as teammate Manuel Friedrich claimed it for himself."

Kadlec obviously felt very strongly about the shirt and was justifiably miffed. Said Kadlec, "When you play against such a player, then you always want his shirt." But Messi, ever the knight in shining armor, gave Kadlec his own shirt at the end of the game. Everybody wins!

Except, you know, men with pride and respect for both themselves and their club. A most likely chapped Rudi Voller, the Leverkusen sporting director, noted that the two players would be auctioning off the shirts for charity because "[w]hat the pair did was a bit over the top."

Bayer Leverkusen stars get dressing down over Leo Messi shirt swap fight [Metro.uk]