Warriors Defender Teenage Hadebe Shares Jersey Exchange Moment with Lionel Messi After Cincinnati’s Heavy Defeat

Warriors defender Teenage Hadebe experienced a special personal milestone on Sunday after securing a jersey swap with global superstar Lionel Messi, despite FC Cincinnati suffering a 4–0 defeat to Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.

The Zimbabwean international started the match for Cincinnati, who struggled to contain Messi’s influence as the Argentine World Cup winner dictated play throughout the encounter. Miami were dominant from the opening whistle, capitalising on defensive lapses and controlling possession for large spells of the game.

While the result was disappointing for Cincinnati, Hadebe managed to walk away with a moment he will likely cherish for years, exchanging shirts with Messi at full time. The gesture drew admiration across social media, with fans celebrating the defender’s composure and professionalism in a difficult outing.

Hadebe, who joined Cincinnati earlier in the season, has been steadily building his reputation in the MLS. Sunday’s match added a memorable chapter to his journey, marking a rare interaction with one of football’s greatest ever players.

For Cincinnati, the focus now shifts to responding strongly in their next fixture. But for Hadebe, the night carried a silver lining, a small but significant reminder of his presence on one of the world’s biggest football stages.