Lionel Messi leaves Elche goalkeeper Edgar Badia shell-shocked after requesting his shirt

Lionel Messi leaves Edgar Badia shell-shocked after requesting his shirt at full-time of Barcelona’s 3-0 LaLiga win over Elche – with keeper in disbelief having originally asked for his jersey

Most goalkeepers are left stunned by Lionel Messi during a game against him but one was left shell-shocked by his gesture at full-time.

Barcelona’s talisman produced the goods once more on Wednesday night by scoring twice in a 3-0 LaLiga win over strugglers Elche.

And post-match Elche goalkeeper Edgar Badia asked for his shirt only to be caught unawares when Messi asked for his in return.

Lionel Messi (right) stunned Edgar Badia by asking him to swap shirts on Wednesday night

Lionel Messi (right) stunned Edgar Badia by asking him to swap shirts on Wednesday night

Messi walked towards Badia after scoring twice in Barcelona's 3-0 LaLiga win over Elche

Messi walked towards Badia after scoring twice in Barcelona’s 3-0 LaLiga win over Elche

As Messi approached the Elche goalkeeper he asked if he could have his shirt in return too

As Messi approached the Elche goalkeeper he asked if he could have his shirt in return too

Badia looked surprised at the request but quickly took off his shirt to hand to the Barca star

Badia looked surprised at the request but quickly took off his shirt to hand to the Barca star

The duo embraced and shared a joke after the moment at the Nou Camp on Wednesday night

The duo embraced and shared a joke after the moment at the Nou Camp on Wednesday night

As both teams walked off the Nou Camp pitch, Badia made a beeline towards Messi to ask for his jersey.

The 33-year-old duly obliged and wanted Badia’s too, leaving him surprised that he would.

Badia’s slightly-startled expression was clear to see before he laughed and joked with the forward afterwards.

Messi was in a good mood as the win moved his side up to third in LaLiga.

They’re now just two points behind second-placed Real Madrid and five behind leaders Atletico Madrid, with the latter having a game in hand.

Messi inspired Barcelona to victory over Elche by bagging a brace on Wednesday night

Messi inspired Barcelona to victory over Elche by bagging a brace on Wednesday night

He produced a trademark chip over Badia for his second and 18th goal of the season

He produced a trademark chip over Badia for his second and 18th goal of the season

Speaking post-match, manager Ronald Koeman said when he ticked off the club’s more experienced players at the start of the week he was NOT talking about Messi.

Barca’s Dutch coach defended Messi after watching him score two to make him La Liga’s top scorer with 18 goals.

In the build-up to the game Koeman had talked about the importance of the club’s experienced players stepping up to save the club’s season.

‘When I spoke about the experienced players I was not talking about him,’ said Koeman. ‘He keeps scoring lots of goals. It’s the others that have to start making a difference, not Messi. He is already making a difference and he did it again in this game.’

Ronald Koeman insisted he was not talking about Messi when he moaned about his senior stars

Ronald Koeman insisted he was not talking about Messi when he moaned about his senior stars

source: dailymail.co.uk