Chicago-area soccer fans came to see Lionel Messi, but it was Matt Eliason who left them awestruck.
Eliason, an amateur soccer player and financial analyst by profession, scored a wonderful, bicycle-kick goal in a charity game featuring Messi and other international soccer stars.
In the 28th minute, the former Northwestern University standout used his chest to control a pass — from FIFA World Cup winner Thierry Henry — popped the ball up to himself and fired his shot past  Messi & Friends goalkeeper Tommy Tombridge.
The goal stunned most of the players and fans, but Eliason seemed like he was more surprised than anyone else. He was rightfully given a standing ovation and congratulations from both sets of players.
Eliason was one of nine local amateurs who participated in the “Lionel Messi and Friends vs. The Rest of the World” charity game at Chicago’s Soldier Field. They had the chance to play with and against Messi because a number of the Argentine’s fellow professionals withdrew from the game. Eliason, Northwestern’s all-time leading goalscorer, made the most of his opportunity.
See Eliason’s moment of magic in the video below.
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