Argentine midfielder Rodrigo De Paul is being lauded for a heartwarming gesture during the Delhi leg of the GOAT India Tour 2025, where he ensured a young fan could join a photo opportunity with football stars. The incident, which took place at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, has quickly gone viral, with fans praising De Paul's empathy and respect.
During a photo session with guests and children, De Paul noticed a young boy who was being held back by a security guard. Without hesitation, De Paul intervened, gently pushing the security guard aside to make way for the child. He then pulled the excited boy forward, welcoming him into the group photo with a smile.
Social media has exploded with positive reactions to De Paul's actions, with users commending him for prioritizing the young fan and demonstrating his caring nature off the field. This incident follows another event in Kolkata where a security guard's aggressive attempt to take a selfie with De Paul led to an uncomfortable moment, highlighting the contrast between respectful fan engagement and inappropriate behavior.
The GOAT India Tour 2025 has seen Lionel Messi and his Argentinian teammates, including De Paul and Luis Suarez, participate in various fan engagement activities across multiple cities. While the Kolkata leg of the tour was marred by reports of poor crowd control and mismanagement, the Delhi event was better organized, allowing for more positive interactions between the players and their fans. Messi's visit to Hyderabad also proceeded smoothly, contrasting sharply with the Kolkata chaos.
In Delhi, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and ICC chief Jay Shah met Messi, De Paul, and Suarez, exchanging gifts and pleasantries. Shah presented the Argentinian players with jerseys of the Indian cricket team and a signed bat. Messi also met Indian football legend Bhaichung Bhutia. Earlier in Mumbai, Messi met with cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar and Indian football star Sunil Chhetri.
De Paul has often been humorously referred to as Lionel Messi's bodyguard due to his constant presence by Messi's side during Argentina matches. A video from September 2025 even showed De Paul escorting away a fan who ran onto the pitch for a photo with Messi during an Inter Miami game against Toronto. However, his recent gesture in Delhi showcases a different side of his protective nature, one that prioritizes the dreams and aspirations of young fans.
The incident in Delhi underscores the importance of respectful and considerate interactions between athletes and their supporters. While enthusiasm is appreciated, it should not come at the expense of personal space or proper conduct, as demonstrated by the contrasting incidents involving De Paul and security personnel in Kolkata and Delhi. De Paul's heartwarming act serves as a reminder of the positive impact athletes can have on their fans, especially young ones, through simple acts of kindness and inclusion.
