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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Football icon watching on from afar</li><li>Continuing his recovery from injury</li><li>Delighting in the exploits of compatriots</li></ul>

Lionel Messi sends heartfelt message to Argentina's Olympic gold medallist Jose Torres Gil after BMX rider makes history at Paris games

World Cup Qualification CONMEBOL

Argentina

Peru

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner, who has taken his record-setting collection of major honours to 45, knows all about claiming gold at the Olympic Games. He <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-2008-olympics-gold-medal-winning-teammates/byi8ob3z7xi71u9kxwcfb3egh" target="_blank">achieved that feat himself on the football field back in 2008</a>.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Messi is now watching the action unfold from afar, with the 2024 Games taking place in Paris – a city he knows well from his <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/neymar-experienced-hell-lionel-messi-psg-failing-make-history-france/blt4f8f102bcb47e63b" target="_blank">time at Ligue 1 giants PSG</a>. The World Cup winner has plenty of time on his hands at present as he <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/video-lionel-messi-ankle-swells-size-golf-ball-argentina-inter-miami-superstar-tears-injury-copa-america-final-colombia/bltfebca9f5b14d26cd" target="_blank">recovers from an ankle injury</a> that is <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/complete-horsecrap-lionel-messi-injury-saga-branded-embarrassing-inter-miami-called-former-usmnt-star-lack-updates/blt36fdc2b3a3f6d3d0" target="_blank">preventing him from figuring for MLS side Inter Miami.</a>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Messi was among those that tuned in for the final of the men’s BMX freestyle event. Gil was considered to be an outsider in that competition, but posted a score of 94.82 in his first run – which was enough to claim the ultimate prize. Messi has said in a message on social media: “Congratulations, enjoy that gold very much.”<picture><source srcset="https://assets.goal.com/images/v3/blt87e25704c30939a6/messi%20bmx.jpg?format=webp" type="image/webp"><source srcset="https://assets.goal.com/images/v3/blt87e25704c30939a6/messi%20bmx.jpg?format=jpg" type="image/jpeg"><img src="https://assets.goal.com/images/v3/blt87e25704c30939a6/messi%20bmx.jpg?format=jpg" alt="Lionel Messi BMX 2024" data-source="Instagram" data-copyright="Instagram" data-portal-copyright="Instagram" perform:prop="uuid:blt87e25704c30939a6;width:444;height:653"></picture>

WHAT MESSI SAID

Gil has said of conquering the world in his chosen profession: “Total craziness, it brought tears to my eyes. The level was extraordinary. The best athletes of the planet were here in Paris. I competed against the best of the world and I felt incredible; I feel part of this incredible universe.”

DID YOU KNOW?

Gil has become the first Argentinian to win an individual Olympic gold in a cycling discipline. His success is also the first enjoyed by his country at the 2024 games, with Messi and Co hoping to take in many more as they cheer on fellow compatriots.

WHAT NEXT?

Lionel Messi sends heartfelt message to Argentina's Olympic gold medallist Jose Torres Gil after BMX rider makes history at Paris games | Goal.com Cameroon

Lionel Messi has sent a heartfelt message to Argentina’s history-making Olympic gold medallist Jose Torres Gil.