Since Lionel Messi’s debut in the United States, a lot of rival players have approached the Argentine superstar for a handshake, photo, or even a signature during post-match player handshakes. However, one post-game handshake has stood out above the rest.

Chris Hegardt of Charlotte FC was shaken by him.

Hegardt joined the Make-a-desire Foundation ten years ago when he was 11 years old, fighting liver cancer, and his desire was to meet FC Barcelona legend Lionel Messi.

He was able to fulfill his dream by traveling to Barcelona, where he joined Messi on the field. He had another chance to meet Messi ten years later.

Prior to the game, Hegardt told San Diego TV station FOX5: “It’s pretty fantastic, at that moment in my life I couldn’t have imagined that in 11 years I’d be playing against him. So I think it’s just a compliment to like what I’ve done in my life and the tenacity I showed, but also him now playing in the MLS.

“You never know who you are going to meet and how you are going to meet them again, so it’s kind of cool,” he continued in the same interview.

Hegardt has already shared an enlightening tale about reconnecting with a professional soccer player. During his illness, Sacha Kljestan, a member of the US National Team at the time, paid him a visit at the hospital.

He had the opportunity to exchange jerseys with Kljestan, a fellow professional athlete, after Charlotte FC’s match against LA Galaxy last year. It also marked Hegardt’s entry into the workforce.

In an interview with ESPN, Hegardt remarked, “I’ll remember that moment forever because I’ll look at my wall in 35 years and say, “I remember when I swapped jerseys with Sacha Kljestan.”