Cammy Devlin admits he doesn’t know exactly where Lionel Messi’s shirt from his 1000th game shirt actually is.
The Hearts midfielder didn’t play a minute for Australia during the World Cup, but left with arguably the best thing aside from a winner’s medal after be bagged the Argentine superstar’s strip from his 100th competitive game which saw Los Albiceleste beat the Socceroos 2-1 in the round of 16 in Qatar.
Devlin chanced his arm in the tunnel after realising none of his teammates had beaten him to a shirt swap, and left with a piece of footballing history. After Messi went on to cement his legacy as the greatest player of all time by leading Lionel Scaloni’s side to World Cup glory, it will likely be worth a fair bit of money further down the line. Not that Devlin is ever likely to sell it. Even if he wanted to, he can’t after giving him to his family Down Under. They’ve subsequently deposited it in a bank but haven’t told him which one.
“It was so, so surreal. It was such a cool moment. I'm surprised none of the other boys asked,” He said.
“Any Messi top you get is special. I actually said this before and got called a liar, but I didn't realise it was his 1000th game. And I'm pretty sure he came out after and said he didn't. So if he didn't then how am I going to? Going into the game I just wanted the boys to win.
“I gave it to my family. They've put it in a bank back home and they won't tell me which bank, which is probably better. So it's all locked up. It's a cool memento to have.
“The boys have been asking for me to wear it to training. But I think it'll just get bashed or torn, or I'll end up walking out topless. But all the boys are just happy for those who played, and I had to walk away with something, didn't I? I couldn't play but had to get a jersey.
"It's every little kid's dream to be at a World Cup. It was unreal.”
Devlin made his return to action in maroon for Hearts’ 3-1 win over Kilmarnock at the weekend. He was warded Man of the Match, so the lack of game time in the Middle East hasn’t cost him any sharpness.
Having the experience and know-how of Robert Snodgrass alongside him in the engine room is helping too. The former Scotland international is starting to shine for the Jambos after getting up to speed, and Devlin admits he’s learning a lot from his more experienced colleague.
“It's unbelievable getting to play alongside someone like him,” Devlin told the Edinburgh Evening News. “He's been so good to me since the day he came in, and for the whole changing room. He brings in so much experience and he's someone you've grown up watching in the Premier League.
“He's not only an unbelievable footballer he's also a great bloke. He's come here, shown his quality but he's also willing to help. I ask him so many questions all of the time because I just want to learn. It's a credit to him as he helps me every day. I'm probably a bit of a pest asking him all these questions but he takes the time out.
"He's come here to play but he also wants to help everyone become better footballers. That's so good. I absolutely love it.”
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