The Boys Who Comforted Messi: A Decade Later

In the heart of Santiago, Chile, ten years after the electrifying 2015 Copa America final, two brothers, Maximiliano and Martín Sandoval, relive a moment that made them unexpectedly famous worldwide. Their story began on that fateful night when, as children, they bravely navigated past security to offer comfort to a dejected Lionel Messi. "We went to see the final," recounted Maximiliano, "our cousin got us tickets." Their act of kindness was captured in a photograph that quickly spread across the globe. The image, showing the brothers consoling Messi, became a symbol of sportsmanship and compassion. Martín added, "I was nervous, but I just said 'Hi, Messi.' He looked at me, winked, and my brother spoke to him, saying he shouldn't be too down, that he'd won so much already." Their unexpected fame followed, with media interviews in Argentina, Uruguay, and Colombia. Their story is a reminder of the human connection in sports and the lasting impact of a single moment of compassion.