“I hope you like my battles” - Rodtang feels all the love after football legend Lionel Messi gifts him signed Inter Miami shirt

Rodtang Jitmuangnon is arguably the greatest striker on the planet right now, but he’s also a massive fan of strikers of another sport.

While he’s technically not a striker, the way the talismanic Lionel Messi scores his goals is nothing short of magical.

A huge football fan, Rodtang has nothing but admiration and praise for the man considered the greatest footballer of all time. So when Messi sent a signed Inter Miami shirt to the reigning ONE flyweight Muay Thai world champion, the Thai megastar couldn’t help but feel tremendous honor for the gift.

Rodtang wrote on Instagram:

“I was a normal kid who didn’t think he would give me this. I hope you like my battles, and someday we will meet. And thank you my brother for helping me. 🙏🙏🙏.”

While getting into Messi’s inner circle is a near impossible task, one man became a vital bridge that connected Rodtang to the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner.

Yassine Cheuko, Messi’s close-in bodyguard, is a professional Muay Thai fighter and is a huge fan of Rodtang’s.

Cheuko would often talk to Messi about Rodtang, and it was in these conversations that he asked the 2022 World Cup winner if he could send the flyweight Muay Thai king a signed shirt.

Rodtang is a lifelong martial artist, yet he will make time in his busy schedule to regularly play football with his friends, Thai celebrities, and fellow Muay Thai legends.

The 26-year-old would often play The Beautiful Game with Saenchai and Buakaw in matches where things would often turn into comedic chaos because of the Muay Thai legends' unhinged attitude.