In August '06, Barcelona was on its US summer pre-season tour in LA to play Chivas. Barça was practicing at Loyola Marymount, and I decided to check it out. To my surprise, only 30-40 people were there watching from a cordoned-off area on one side of the field. I decided to sneak over to the other side to get closer, and no one bothered me or the other guy who followed me. A pre-icon status Messi ended his practice early and was walking right toward me. He was friendly enough to take a pic and sign my Messi kit that my brother had gifted me for the '06 WC. I'm a huge Messi fan, and it's been a joy to watch him play throughout his career. This is undoubtedly the possession/collectible that means the most to me.