CA, US & World
Young Cancer Survivor Matteo Rodriguez Meets Idol Lionel Messi in Kansas City
KANSAS CITY, Kansas — An eleven-year-old soccer player and cancer survivor from Olathe, Kansas, experienced a dream come true Wednesday when he was invited to a private meeting with global soccer icon Lionel Messi and the Argentina national soccer team. Matteo Rodriguez, who has spent the last four years battling a severe illness, was able to shake hands with his idol just before the reigning World Cup champions took the pitch for a team practice session.
Matteo's journey to the pitch has been defined by remarkable bravery. Four years ago, just two weeks before celebrating his seventh birthday, he was diagnosed with Stage 3 Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma after an X-ray revealed a large tumor covering most of his chest cavity. The diagnosis triggered an exhausting medical regimen that included more than one hundred prolonged hospital visits, painful lumbar punctures, and continuous blood transfusions. During those isolating hospital stays when he was unable to leave his bed or visit friends, watching Messi play provided a vital and welcome distraction.
During the special meeting, Matteo was able to express his admiration directly to Messi, sharing how the superstar's kindness and skill on the field helped him find joy during his darkest moments in treatment. The memorable day also included a surprise interaction with Argentina's starting goalkeeper, Emiliano Martinez, who happily paused to pose for photographs with Matteo and his brother, who coincidentally shares the star goalkeeper's first name.
Now preparing to enter the fifth grade, Matteo is back on the field playing right wing for his local youth soccer team. While he continues to receive ongoing medical treatments, his health has stabilized significantly, allowing him to focus on developing his athletic skills. Armed with an unforgettable signature and a renewed sense of inspiration, Matteo remains hopeful that his own hard work on the pitch might one day allow him to become a professional star and make a young fan's dream come true, just as Messi did for him.
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By: NBC Palm Springs
June 8, 2026
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