The worlds of football and cycling rarely collide, but 'huge cycling fan' Lionel Messi got a treat this week when he was presented with a personalised Pinarello Dogma F8 from Team Sky.
The Argentinian superstar reportedly shares a mutual friend with Team Sky mechanic David Fernandez, who sourced the bike for Messi.
Upon hearing that one of the world's most famous players was keen to ride their kit, Pinarello and Rapha went about customising his ride and his jersey with 'LEO 10' livery.
Unfortunately for Leo, recovering from a knee injury means that he can't actually ride the bike just yet, but when he's back in peak condition he will be able to pootle out to the hills around Barcelona, the city in which he makes his quite substantial living.
He won't be short of riding companions either, with Girona just up the road - an enclave for professional cyclists thanks to the fertile training grounds of the region.
Standing at 1.70m, Messi is only 3cm taller than Colombian Nairo Quintana, so it will be interesting to see if he shares his fellow South American's flair for climbing.
Thank you for reading 10 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
-
-
‘Moments to live and remember’: Roglič set to win the pink jersey after winning extraordinary penultimate stage of the Giro d’Italia
Thomas loses the pink jersey to Slovenian by just 14 seconds
-
The best Memorial Day deals for cyclists
Memorial Day is coming up in the United States. We've rounded up the best Memorial Day deals for cyclists including bikes, apparel, gear and accessories.
-
This 39-year-old INEOS Grenadiers rider moonlights as a pro triathlete
A Jack of all trades, Cameron Wurf is a domestique for INEOS Grenadiers professional cycling team, but doubles as a successful pro triathlete.
-
Ineos Grenadiers' only female rider Pauline Ferrand-Prévot eyes road return
Mountain bike legend could be back in the peloton next year
-
Egan Bernal has nose operation to help 'air passage' ahead of 2023
Procedure not thought to be connected to the life-threatening crash which affected Colombian last year
-
Tweets of the week: Ineos Grenadiers' three wise men, team jersey déjà vu and World Cup celebrations by bike
Here's our social media round-up, featuring a cycling all-star nativity
-
Ineos Grenadiers sign their first female rider
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot reported to be joining new Ineos mountain bike team, alongside Tom Pidcock
-
Remco Evenepoel transfer to Ineos Grenadiers is ‘too stupid for words’ says Patrick Lefevere
Lefevere revealed he has been laughing at speculation around the new world champion
-
Ineos Grenadiers sign unknown 18-year-old Michael Leonard
Canadian is the latest young rider to join the British squad
-
Ineos Grenadiers sign 18 year-old time trial and track talent Josh Tarling
The 18-year-old is a two-time Welsh national track champion, and finished second in the 2021 junior worlds time trial
