A MOTOGP star has apologised to Lionel Messi after spotting him in his pit crew.
Moto3 rider Valentin Perrone, 17, was pictured in the pit with a mechanic who was focused on his job.
The mechanic had a striking resemblance to the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.
The likeness was picked up on by the Argentine racer as he posted on Instagram account.
He shared a snap of the two of them and made a quip about the 2022 World Cup winner.
The Red Bull KTM Tech3 joked: “Sorry Leo Messi for making you work so hard.”
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The picture has been shared on social media and fans can also see the resemblance between the mechanic and Messi.
One posted: “Valentin Perrone’s mechanic looks more like Messi than Messi himself.”
A second wrote: “God is identical.”
A third commented: “He is so identical it is crazy.”
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A fourth said: “Perrone has him working for Leo Messi.”
Another added: “Messi is on Perrone’s bench.”
Race results – Top 10
Here is a look at the top 10…
- Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo)
- Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo), +7.276
- Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing), +7.341
- Stefano Nepa (SIC58 Squadra Corse), +7.590
- Matteo Bertelle (LEVELUP-MTA), +10.242
- Dennis Foggia (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team), +11.644
- David Almansa (Leopard Racing), +12.068
- Riccardo Rossi (Rivacold Snipers Team), +13.138
- Joel Esteban (Red Bull KTM Tech3), +21.956
- Luca Lunetta (SIC58 Squadra Corse), +22.031
Perrone retired from the race in Buri Ram, Thailand, which Jose Antonio Rueda eventually won at the Chang International Circuit.
He was mostly unchallenged during the race as he rode into first place under the chequered flag 7.276s ahead of anyone else.
Meanwhile, the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star is enjoying his twilight years in the MLS.
Messi, 37, signed for Inter Miami in 2023 and has been one of the top performers in the league.
He has scored 36 goals and assisted 20 more in just 42 appearances for the club.
However, he was an absentee from Miami’s clash against the Houston Dynamo.
This led to a bizarre moment as the Dynamo apologised to their fans who would miss out on the chance of seeing the star play against their team.
Messi has been fined by the MLS after he violated a little-known rule along with Luis Suarez.
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They were both hit with an undisclosed fine for their actions during a 2-2 draw with New York City FC on Saturday.
The duo were punished after they grabbed the back of the neck of a coach and player during the evening action.
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
