Underdog teams at big tournaments often express their determination to spring upsets by uttering phrases like “We're not just here to make up the numbers” and “We're not here on a sightseeing trip.”
Jamaica's tenacious – though goalless – performances against rugged opposition drew respect at Copa America in Chile this month. But former Colorado Rapids striker Deshorn Brown cast some doubt on the Reggae Boyz' outlook when he played the starstruck tourist in the wake of Saturday's 1-0 loss to Argentina in Viña del Mar.
After starting for Jamaica and making way for Giles Barnes in the 78th minute, Brown grabbed his phone, hustled over to Lionel Messi and requested a “selfie” with the Argentina superstar.
Though surprised and bemused, Messi obliged, prompting a mix of amusement and disdain for Brown's move around the world.
“I had thought about it before the match so that's why I took [the phone] to the bench,” Brown, who transferred from Colorado to Norwegian side Vålerenga earlier this year, told reporters afterward. “As soon as [the game] finished, I took the picture,” Brown said.
“Messi is the best in the world, a star, and that's a photo I'll have as a souvenir all my life.”
Said Messi: “He surprised me. On top of that I was annoyed about how the match had gone despite our win ... But when I saw the phone I realized what was going on. It's really nice when a colleague asks me for that.”
Invited to take part in the South American championship along with CONCACAF neighbors Mexico, then drawn into a fierce Group B alongside Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay, Jamaica competed well but fell 1-0 in all three of their games. (El Tri, too, failed to advance out of the group stage.)
What do you think? Is Brown only human to want a personal memento from his encounter with the world's best player? Or did he remove any semblance of competitive pride the Reggae Boyz might have taken home from Chile? (Interestingly, as of Sunday afternoon Brown had yet to post the photo from his own Twitter account.)
Perhaps just as importantly: Was the blurry photo of a frowning Messi even worth it all?
