The time when football superstar Lionel Messi asked Emiliano Boffelli for kicking tips

Such is the kicking power of Emiliano Boffelli, he was once asked by arguably the greatest ever footballer for tips.

That is according to Planet Rugby writer James While, who was speaking on the Captain’s Call podcast featuring Chris Robshaw and Sergio Parisse, brought to you by eToro.

Boffelli is Los Pumas’ sharp-shooter off the tee and one of the best in rugby union, so much so that the legendary Messi wanted some advice.

At the top of the list

“Mark (Two Cents Rugby) and I were talking before the pod about Emiliano Boffelli. He’s probably the best goal-kicker I think I’ve seen in my 15 years writing on rugby and I was reading an anecdote that he had a session with Lionel Messi,” While said.

“Messi wanted to know how he kicked the ball so far. I mean, this is Lionel Messi asking Boffelli – I thought that was quite remarkable.”

Former England skipper Robshaw also praised Boffelli, whose ability to kick goals from all angles puts the pressure on opposition teams, especially in big World Cup games.

“You know, as a player, there’s nothing worse if you give a penalty away, and you know they’ve got a player like that who is not going to miss,” he said.

“You feel so guilty, as Boffelli given a penalty like that is going to step up. It was like when Leigh Halfpenny was at that kind of level when you played against Wales.

“Hopefully he can have an off day.”

Robshaw is referring to the World Cup opener between the Red Rose and Los Pumas, which is arguably the key match in Pool D.

A win for either side will go a long way to securing their place in the quarter-finals of the global tournament in France.

Helped by the draw

They are on the weaker side of the draw, with Australia, Wales or Fiji likely to await in the last-eight should either or both get there.

“For the teams in group C and D, the draw is fantastic. If they can get out of the group, you’re then playing against another team that is probably at a similar level to you. Whereas all the big five sides, or whatever we want to call them on the other side, you don’t need to worry about them,” Robshaw added.

“You can even lose in the group, still get out and still play against someone of the same level and potentially progress even further. So I think that’s going to be the belief that once these teams get through both C and D, there’s a real opportunity for them to go far.

“Then it comes down to a little bit of momentum and pressure; all these kinds of things that suddenly come into it.”

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