Timmy earned the opportunity to show his skills in front of Messi after being crowned the best 1v1 male baller in the متحد Kingdom at an event in Croydon on August 23. Che was also crowned the best 1v1 female baller at the same event.
Mas+ by Messi, a hydration drink co-founded by Messi, launched the 1v1 tournament in the hope of uncovering and celebrating emerging grassroots talent from around the world. The winner of the inaugural event – which takes place on September 19 – will be named the world’s best 1v1 baller and scoop $5000 (£3700/€4200) in prize money.
After securing victory in the UK round of the Mas+ by Messi 1v1 tournament, Timmy said: “It is going to be unbelievable to get the chance to play in front of Messi. He is the GOAT and I grew up watching him. I never even imagined I would get a chance to play in front of the man himself – it seemed so unlikely it’s not even on my bucket list.”
Timmy is now a football content creator after leaving Tonbridge Angels, who compete in the sixth tier of English Football, in September last year. The 24-year-old – whose older brother Tammy, 27, currently plays for Turkish الدوري السوبر جانب بشيكتاش – emerged through فولهام‘s youth system and had spells with بليموث and Oldham. Meanwhile Che, 22, currently plays for ديربي County, who compete in the Women’s وطني League Northern Premier Division – the third tier of women’s football.
After watching Timmy and Che compete in the 1v1 competition, Messi will then gear up for انتر Miami’s clash against DC United in the MLS on Sunday. Javier Mascherano’s men head into the match after defeating Seattle Sounders 3-1 in their last league outing, with Messi scoring his side’s second goal of the game.
