Both sportsmen greeted each other in the city of Miami, where they play
One of the streets of Miami was blessed to have two sports icons there at the same time as there was an unexpected encounter that caught the attention of many as the NBA’s Jimmy Butler and soccer’s Lionel Messi crossed paths, seemingly by chance in the Floridian metropolis on March 9.
Butler, star player of the Miami Heat in the NBA, stopped his car to say hello to Messi, the Inter Miami standout and ex-Barcelona attacker, who was walking down the sidewalk.
Butler, known for his admiration of the 2022 FIFA World Cup winner, has expressed on several occasions that soccer is his favorite sport, despite being an NBA star and despite the darkened windows of Butler’s vehicle, the basketball player noticed Messi‘s casually dressed presence.
Butler is also a close friend of Neymar Jr., with whom he shared part of his vacation in Brazil last year, and t is possible that he will now also establish a close relationship with Messi, now that both are in the same city in Florida.
Messi, of course, knows Neymar all too well after they formed one of the most devastating soccer partnerships in history during their time at Barcelona whilst they also previously linked up at Paris Saint Germain (PSG) in Ligue 1, the top tier of French soccer.
When do the Heat play next?
The Miami Heat are at the Kaseya Center as they welcome the Washington Wizards in an Eastern Conference clash on Sunday, March 10.
The Heat are currently sixth in the conference whilst the Wizards are a long way back, sitting second-last having already been eliminated from postseason contention with a .159 record.
When do Inter Miami play next?
Inter Miami are next in action at the Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale on Sunday, March 10 as they welcome Montreal CF in a Major League Soccer clash.
Inter Miami currently lead the Eastern Conference after three rounds with two wins and a draw resulting in eight goals scored and just one conceded as Messi bids to conquer his latest soccer league.
