ºüÀêÊÓƵ

Lionel Messi was in perfect position and received the perfect pass and unleashed the perfect shot. Soccer supporters have been spoiled by this type of highlight for two decades now, from the 17-year-old prodigy in Barcelona to the 37-year-old icon in Miami. But last Saturday night, in the 34th minute, Messi's one-touch shot didn’t score. Inexplicably — no, impossibly! — ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC goalie Roman Burki exploded to his right and outstretched his right hand to make the save.

Then, in the 90th minute, with the score 3-3, Messi set up a teammate for the sure game-winner … but Burki’s right glove deflected the strike.

When the game ended as a draw, Burki shook Messi’s hand while still wearing his goalie gloves. Burki exchanged jerseys with the World Cup hero. And then … Burki walked over and gave the gloves to a kid from ºüÀêÊÓƵ.

“They were very sweaty!� Charlie Silker said.

Charlie’s favorite athlete is Messi. He and his younger brother, Teddy, adore the dude. At their home in Ballwin, they have Messi jerseys from Barcelona, Argentina and even Paris Saint Germain, but not Inter Miami “because,� as explained by their father, Chad, “that always felt like that would be cheating on City.�

The Silkers love soccer. They often sit in the upper section at City SC games. And both Charlie and his sister, 13-year-old Nora, play goalie. So, you can imagine how much they admire Burki, the reigning goalkeeper of the year in Major League Soccer.

“He's just, like, so good,� Charlie said. “Just amazing.�

For her 11th birthday, Nora’s gift was a trip with her parents — and without her siblings — on a Harry Potter-themed adventure at Universal Studios. Thus, for Charlie’s 11th birthday, Chad and Beth Silker offered him the same type of trip. Chad had mentioned a City SC road game, perhaps to Los Angeles.

“And he kind of sheepishly said, ‘Do you think we could go to Miami and see them play Messi?’� Chad recalled. “And I said, ‘Let me look into that,’ while thinking, ‘Oh my God, this is going to be so expensive!’�

But they indeed went to Florida. And went all out. Chad got front-row seats behind one of the goals. And near the ºüÀêÊÓƵ supporter section. And Charlie made a sign. It had the flag of Burki’s native Switzerland. And the sign read: “TODAY IS MY 11TH BIRTHDAY. BURKI, CAN I HAVE YOUR GLOVES?â€�

The match was a thriller. Miami, perhaps you know, is the best team in MLS’ Eastern Conference. And ºüÀêÊÓƵ led, 3-2, for much of the second half. Alas, Miami tied the game in the 85th minute.

“The last few minutes were just electric,� Chad said, “with the pressure and the team holding off to get away with the draw. The adrenaline was high.�

Burki was in the goal closest to Chad's family. After the game ended and the players shook hands, some of the City SC players and staff made a point to point out the ºüÀêÊÓƵ supporters. Burki, sure enough, had seen Charlie’s sign during the night, perhaps at pregame warmups.

“I was just giddy as I watched Burki approach and pick Charlie out of the crowd,� Chad said. “He locked eyes with Charlie probably like 10-15 yards away and walked on over. I've got a series of photos as he's handing the gloves to him.�

And Burki was holding Messi’s game-worn jersey in the gloves.

So, yeah, the glove that saved Messi’s shot and shook Messi’s hand and held Messi’s game-worn jersey was now being worn by one of Messi’s biggest fans. And the gloves had been worn in game by ºüÀêÊÓƵ’ star goalie.

“I was so happy,� Charlie said.

A City SC official confirmed that Burki only wears one pair of gloves per game — so Charlie’s gloves were the ones worn all evening. Minutes later, Burki got a backup pair of gloves and gave them to another young City fan. That was captured on video by the team and put on social media. But those gloves were dry.

“It was really awesome that Roman gave kids that kind of memory,â€� Chad said. “In the midst of all that's going on down there and the rush of the game, just to make a kid's day — make my kid's day, and really probably his whole year — and the other kid, too? I mean, it's little things like that which just connect (ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC) to the fans. We love them so much.â€�

For the record, Charlie does not plan on wearing Roman Burki’s gloves while in goal for his CYC team in ºüÀêÊÓƵ. The plan is to get a shadow box to display and preserve the gloves.

“He's really got a piece of history there,� Chad said.