Cobh Ramblers rising star Evan Deasy celebrates world skills title with Lionel Messi

Cork teenager Evan Deasy is celebrating with Lionel Messi after winning the inaugural Más+ by Messi 1v1 World Crown in Miami.

The Cobh Ramblers star was just one of two Irish players selected for the skills-based tournament that brought players together for a showpiece event in the United States.

Deasy, who once lined out for Bandon AFC, had to navigate numerous qualifiers before winning the world title and taking home the $5,000 prize.

The final was watched by Messi, who celebrated with the winners on his own Instagram account.

Deasy said this has been a ‘dream come true’ as the full weight of what he achieves sets in.

"Winning the first-ever Más+ by Messi 1v1 World Crown is a complete dream come true,” he said.

CRAZY

“This has all been so crazy just to be able to play in front of my mom and my stepdad here in Miami since I relocated to live in Cork and they've been living here in the US, but I've completely changed as a player, a person, and everything.

“They have never seen me play at an actual game of football or even anything like this since I was so young. 

"So for them to come here in front of Lionel Messi, no less, this is their first experience in three years of me playing, I mean, I don't think they can ask for much more, really. 

They mean so much to me and in front of the GOAT, Messi, I can't ask for anything more.” 

The tournament brought footballers from around the world to Wynwood Marketplace, which was transformed into a 1v1 battleground, where only two winners would walk away with the 1v1 World Crown.

Attendees were treated to opportunities to win exclusive Messi-signed giveaways, experience live art, and more.

The semi-finals sent shockwaves through the crowd as Messi entered the venue to watch the games.

Deasy took home the prize, at the tail end of a season that will see the teenager fight for promotion with the Cobh Ramblers first-team.

Mick McDermott’s side are currently second in the table, and have secured play-off football for the second time in three seasons.

DEVELOPING

Deasy has been a squad player with Cobh this year, as he spends the majority of his time lining out for the U20s in the Underage National Leagues.

The teenager did get minutes during a 2-1 defeat to Treaty United last July at the Markets Field in Limerick.

The majority of his time is with the U20s, a team that is currently second to Shamrock Rovers in Tier 2 South with seven wins and one defeat recorded with one game left to play.