A rising star in the world of Formula 1, like most Argentines, Franco Colapinto is an avid football fan. Now one of his race helmets has found its way into the hands of one of the football greats, a certain Lionel Messi.

Colapinto shared the news on his Instagram account, posting a story where the Albiceleste and Inter Miami captain can be seen holding one of the driver’s helmets. The former Williams Racing man dotted the post with a couple of heart emojis, a show of his excitement at seeing Messi with his gift.

“Thanks for so much joy and so many lessons. All the best,” wrote the Argentine motorist on the edge of the helmet’s visor.

Colapinto had actually promised Messi to give him one of his helmets in 2024, when he received a signed Argentina shirt from the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner. The gift arrived right before his first ever Formula 2 win, with the driver claiming the gift had proven lucky.

The 22-year-old hasn’t hidden his love for football. A confessed fan of Argentine giant Boca Juniors, Colapinto has posed with the iconic blue-and-gold jersey many times and even had an exclusive tour of the famous La Bombonera stadium in 2022.

“I love football. Sports in general, but I’m a massive Boca fan,” he said in 2024. “I always have the kit at home, I wear it very often, watching matches and even sleeping with it. I have more Boca shirts than regular ones.”

He also honored the 2022 World Cup winners with the helmet he wore during the 2024 Qatar Grand Prix. The blue helmet featured images of several Albiceleste stars including Messi, Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez, Ángel Di María. It also showed the three stars representing the World Cups won by Argentina, and the phrase coronados de gloria (crowned in glory), a phrase included in the national anthem.

“As an Argentine, it’s an honor and a responsibility to compete again in Qatar,” said Colapinto in a voiceover when he announced the homage. “This helmet is a homage to the World Cup winners, who gave us the biggest joy ever, and a gift for all Argentine fans. Thank you for this opportunity, thank you for joining me on this path.”