Former Kaizer Chiefs centre-back Teenage Hadebe has handed over the Lionel Messi jersey he received after an MLS playoff match to Zimbabwean businessman Scott Sakupwanya.
How Hadebe got his hands on Lionel Messi’s jersey
Hadebe, who plays for FC Cincinnati, faced Inter Miami last month in the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Although Cincinnati’s campaign ended with a heavy 4–0 defeat, the Zimbabwean star still enjoyed one of the most unforgettable moments of his career.
Despite the disappointment, Hadebe walked away with a gift most footballers can only dream of.
He swapped shirts with Lionel Messi at full-time.
Messi opened the scoring in the 19th minute with a close-range header before Inter Miami added three more goals between the 57th and 74th minutes to seal the result in front of a packed TQL Stadium.
Teenage Hadebe keeps the promise
A photo of Hadebe and Sakupwanya posing with the Inter Miami shirt has since gone viral on social media.
Last month, in a video message, Hadebe congratulated Sakupwanya’s Scottland Football Club for recently winning promotion and lifting the league title.
“We just want to give a massive congratulations to you, the management team, the players and all involved at Scottland Football Club for winning the league title,” Hadebe said. “I wish you the best and great success, and keep growing football in Zimbabwe. We appreciate you.”
He then revealed the surprise, the match-worn Messi jersey, holding it up proudly as he added:
“I’ve got something special for you. I hope you like it.”
The jersey gift has ignited reactions online
The gift has sparked mixed reactions among football fans online. Some supporters suggested that Hadebe may be thinking ahead. They believe he is positioning himself for a future move to Scottland Football Club once his MLS spell ends.
Others praised the gesture as a sign of humility and national pride.
However, a section of fans argued that Hadebe could have auctioned the Messi jersey in the future and earned a significant amount of money, given the shirt’s historic and sentimental value.
A gesture that goes beyond football
The gift is more than a symbolic token, it reflects how deeply Hadebe remains connected to Zimbabwean football.
Since moving abroad, the 29-year-old defender has consistently supported grassroots initiatives and young players back home.
Sakupwanya, a prominent figure in local football, has been investing heavily in developing Scottland FC. The club has quickly risen through Zimbabwe’s divisions and built a reputation for ambition, structure, and modernisation.
