Lionel Messi comforted DJ Khaled’s young son before his first Inter Miami start on Tuesday, when the soccer star walked out with him as a mascot before kickoff.
Asahd, 7, started crying when he was stood in front of Messi in the team lineup, seemingly because of the noise that greeted the team as they walked out onto the field at the DRV PNK Stadium.
Messi noticed and checked up on young Asahd, who gave a thumbs up to soccer’s biggest star as he regained his composure.
DJ Khaled himself later shared a video of Messi taking his son’s hand to walk him out onto the field before the start of the game and wrote: ‘I’m so proud of my son! Bless @leomessi!!!’
Lionel Messi comforted DJ Khaled’s son Asahd, 7, who was an Inter Miami mascot on Tuesday
Asahd appeared to be overwhelmed at the noise that greeted the Miami team on the field
Messi put his hands on Asahd’s shoulders when he noticed the boy was in tears
He scored twice in the first 22 minutes to lead his new Inter Miami team to an impressive 4-0 triumph over Atlanta United.
His first goal came thanks to an assist from Sergio Busquets and he raced through on goal, hit the post with his initial shot and then scored with the rebound.
His second came when Atlanta failed to clear a pass into the penalty area. Then, new teammate Robert Taylor scored either side of halftime to record an emphatic victory.
Messi played 78 minutes in his second game for the team as he continues to rebuild his fitness.
DJ Khaled was joined by other celebrities such as P Diddy and Camilla Cabello at Miami’s DRV PNK Stadium on Tuesday for Messi’s second game.