Ecuador player's reaction to getting a Lionel Messi shirt shows how much of an icon he is

Lionel Messi jerseys are highly, highly valuable.

Seldom does a match go by where the Paris Saint-Germain star isn’t mobbed by either opposition players or even pitch invaders in a desperate bid to get their hands on his match-worn kit.

As much as it can look a little awkward at times and Roy Keane would inevitably roll his eyes, you can certainly put yourself in the shoes of those players making the most of their clash with Messi.

We are, after all, talking about one of the greatest sportspeople in history with a record number of Ballon d’Or wins, so it’s no wonder that everyone is desperate to get their hands on a memento of the day.

And if you’re lucky enough to seal the deal and get your hands on Messi’s sweaty strip – that sounded better in our heads – then it’s fair to say that you’d be pretty chuffed about it.

Fans and players alike looking buzzing about a shirt swap isn’t anything new, but some of the reactions that getting a Messi jersey provokes just go to show what an absolute icon he truly is.

Don’t believe us? Well, you only have to look at the way that Ecuador’s Byron Castillo behaved when a Messi shirt made its way to him after the World Cup qualifying clash with Argentina on Tuesday night.

According to ESPN, the full-time festivities had initially seen Messi give his shirt away to Villarreal left-back Pervis Estupiñán, but Castillo was then seen with a No.10 Argentina jersey shortly afterwards.

It remains to be seen whether Messi dished out two jerseys or Estupiñán passed on the prize, but it’s fair to say that Castillo looked absolutely buzzing about his acquisition either way.

Footage has gained traction on social media of Castillo being unable to contain his excitement with the Messi jersey in his