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It’s well known Rodtang Jitmuangnon is a keen football fan, and now he has received the ultimate collector’s item.
Lionel Messi, Argentina’s World Cup winning superstar, sent ONE Championship’s flyweight Muay Thai king a signed shirt from his club team, Inter Miami.
“I have waited for the jersey for a very long time,” Rodtang said in a video posted to his official Facebook account.
“The Iron Man” added that it was Messi’s bodyguard in the US who sent him the shirt, because he is an avid Muay Thai fan.
“It’s what I’ve been waiting for. Today has arrived. Feeling speechless, very happy,” the 26-year-old added in an Instagram post.
Rodtang, who has admitted he plays football to stay fit rather than constantly sparring during fight camps, had been promised the shirt last month and shared a picture of it on social media.
“I was a normal kid who didn’t think he would give me this,” Rodtang wrote. “I hope you like my battles. And someday we will meet. Thank you brother for helping me.”
Rodtang’s star has certainly risen since signing with ONE Championship in 2018.
“An interesting stat is that a few years ago he had 14,000 followers even though he was genuinely one of the most feared strikers in the world at the time,” CEO and chairman Chatri Sityodtong recently told the Post.
“Today, he has over four million followers across his social media platforms, and that is what happens when you combine world championship talent like Rodtang with a massive platform like ONE, it creates massive fandom.
“That’s why I’m very proud to have built this platform, where he can share his story, his achievements and his values globally, and all fans get to enjoy and be inspired by him. That ultimately is why we built the company, it’s our North Star.”
Rodtang is not currently booked for a fight, following his unanimous decision loss to close friend and fellow football enthusiast Superlek Kiatmookao in September.
A rematch is still on the cards, however, as is a blockbuster showdown with Japanese kickboxing star Takeru Segawa.
“Rodtang’s team and I talk on a regular basis,” Chatri added. “He wants to become a legend, that’s his No 1 thing. He wants to clean out and clear out every striking art before going to MMA.
“He’s still young, only 26. He has the whole world ahead of him, and obviously a huge platform like ONE.”