Scotland's Ryan Christie has been left gobsmacked by Lionel Messi's recent hat-trick heroics, admitting it was 'mind-blowing' to watch his childhood idol still conjuring magic at 38. As he watched Messi tear apart the opposition from the sidelines in Charlotte, the Scotland midfielder felt a sense of déjà vu wash over him – suddenly transported back into the role of awestruck spectator rather than world-class player.
Chatting with teammates as they soaked up every moment of Messi's masterclass, Christie revealed that his childhood dreams were far more modest. He'd always envisioned himself playing for Scotland, but a World Cup appearance? That was 'a pipe dream' he never thought would become reality. Yet, when Scotland qualified for their first Euros under Steve Clarke, something clicked – and those ambitions began to feel tantalisingly within reach.
With his sights firmly set on the next challenge, Christie is now in fierce competition with his teammates for a starting spot against Morocco in Boston. And despite acknowledging that they face a 'sticking plaster' test against one of the tournament's top teams, he remains convinced that Scotland can be 'sticky opponents', capable of frustrating even the most potent attacks.
Christie knows that dominating possession or shutting down their opponents won't be on the cards – but his strategy is to limit Morocco's scoring opportunities and make every count when it matters. When asked if a win was within reach, he gave an unequivocal answer: 'Absolutely. We've got to think like that after the first result against Haiti.'
Messi's remarkable longevity has inspired Christie, who believes his own time in the spotlight is far from over. With England's veteran stars continuing to defy age and prove their worth at the top level, he sees no reason why he can't keep pushing the boundaries of what's possible for Scotland – even if it means defying expectations and achieving something truly remarkable.
The 31-year-old, who extended his contract with AFC Bournemouth until 2029, is now primed to take on whatever challenges come next, drawing energy from the very top. And as he prepares to face one of the tournament's toughest tests yet, Christie knows that the lessons learned from Messi's mesmerising display will stay with him for a long time – and perhaps even inspire his own moment of greatness.