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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="footballco-bet-betsense">{"type":"footballco-bet-betsense","data":{}}</script><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><ul><li>Sullivan posts picture with Messi</li><li>Reveals Barcelona star is his idol</li><li>Posts throwback picture with Ballon d'Or</li></ul><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>

Present & future: 14-year-old Cavan Sullivan meets ‘idol’ Lionel Messi after Inter Miami get MLS win over the Philadelphia Union

Major League Soccer

Inter Miami CF

Charlotte FC

Philadelphia Union

Atlanta United

<p><a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/video-lionel-messi-brace-inter-miami-right-foot-assist-luis-suarez-returns-mls-injury/blt604c973455322166" target="_blank">Messi scored a brace on his return from injury</a> as Inter Miami beat the Philadelphia Union 3-1 in MLS on Saturday. Luis Suarez also found the net in a comfortable win, and Sullivan, Union's 14-year-old wonderkid, watched on from the bench before meeting Messi after the final whistle.</p><p></p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C_84Z4JSyFP/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link" data-instgrm-version="13" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Sullivan is a United States youth international, winning caps for the Under-17 side, and made his debut for the club in July, in a 5-1 win over New England. <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/usmnt-cavan-sullivan-philadelphia-union-freddy-adu-record/blt72a3a1e1893743c7" target="_blank">He subsequently became MLS' youngest-ever player</a>, breaking Freddy Adu's record, and has <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/cavan-sullivan-highly-philadelphia-union-manchester-city-contract/bltcafa3f6a039118cb" target="_blank">already agreed to join Manchester City when he turns 18</a>. </p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Sullivan wrote on Instagram: "Such an honor to meet my idol." He also posted a throwback picture of him as a small child, stood next to a Ballon d'Or trophy that Messi won during his time at Barcelona.</p><p></p><picture><source srcset="https://assets.goal.com/images/v3/bltb61c14c8f058130a/459689923_495398100047550_456536884076509990_n%20(1).jpg?format=webp" type="image/webp"><source srcset="https://assets.goal.com/images/v3/bltb61c14c8f058130a/459689923_495398100047550_456536884076509990_n%20(1).jpg?format=jpg" type="image/jpeg"><img src="https://assets.goal.com/images/v3/bltb61c14c8f058130a/459689923_495398100047550_456536884076509990_n%20(1).jpg?format=jpg" alt="Messi Cavan Sullivan" data-source="Instagram: @cavan.sull" data-copyright="Instagram: @cavan.sull" data-portal-copyright="Instagram: @cavan.sull" perform:prop="uuid:bltb61c14c8f058130a;width:1170;height:2080"></picture><p></p><picture><source srcset="https://assets.goal.com/images/v3/bltc234eb6c695850c8/Snapinsta.app_459414605_502721062699780_2226218097620043557_n_1024.jpg?format=webp" type="image/webp"><source srcset="https://assets.goal.com/images/v3/bltc234eb6c695850c8/Snapinsta.app_459414605_502721062699780_2226218097620043557_n_1024.jpg?format=jpg" type="image/jpeg"><img src="https://assets.goal.com/images/v3/bltc234eb6c695850c8/Snapinsta.app_459414605_502721062699780_2226218097620043557_n_1024.jpg?format=jpg" alt="Cavan Sullivan Ballon d'Or" data-source="Instagram: @cavan.sull" data-copyright="Instagram: @cavan.sull" data-portal-copyright="Instagram: @cavan.sull" perform:prop="uuid:bltc234eb6c695850c8;width:1170;height:2080"></picture>

WHAT SULLIVAN SAID

<p>Messi will next be in action when Miami play Atlanta United on Thursday. Sullivan, by comparison, could add to his one professional appearance when the Philadelphia Union face New York City on Thursday.</p>

WHAT NEXT?

Present & future! 14-year-old wonderkid Cavan Sullivan meets ‘idol’ Lionel Messi after seeing Argentine superstar inspire Inter Miami to MLS win over the Philadelphia Union | Goal.com US

Wonderkid Cavan Sullivan met Lionel Messi after the Argentine&apos;s brace inspired Inter Miami to a 3-1 win over his Philadelphia Union side.

Present &amp; future: 14-year-old Cavan Sullivan meets ‘idol’ Lionel Messi after Inter Miami get MLS win over the Philadelphia Union