Miami, Florida – October 23, 2025 – In a moment that sent waves of excitement through fans worldwide, wrestling icon and Hollywood star John Cena shared a historic handshake with soccer legend Lionel Messi at a star-studded charity gala hosted by the Neymar Jr. Institute at Miami’s Kaseya Center. The event, aimed at raising funds for youth education and sports programs, brought together two titans from entirely different worlds, proving that true legends transcend their arenas. The crowd erupted in cheers as the duo clasped hands, a scene that instantly went viral across social media.
The gala, attended by over 2,000 guests including athletes, celebrities, and philanthropists, was a celebration of sports and giving back. Messi, fresh off another stellar performance for Inter Miami, was a special guest alongside Neymar, who co-organized the event during his recovery from injury. Cena, a 16-time WWE champion and advocate for children’s causes like Make-A-Wish, had expressed a lifelong desire to meet Messi outside the football pitch. “I want to meet Messi not in a football match but in a place where we can talk heart-to-heart about inspiring the next generation,” Cena had said in a pre-event interview with ESPN. The charity gala provided the perfect stage.
As the evening unfolded, the atmosphere was electric with performances and speeches, but the highlight came when Cena took the stage to announce a $1 million donation to the Neymar Jr. Institute. Mid-speech, he paused, grinning, and invited Messi to join him. The crowd roared as Messi, dressed in a sharp black suit, walked up, his trademark humility shining through. The two shared a firm handshake, followed by a brief embrace, with Cena jokingly flexing his bicep and Messi laughing in response. “This guy’s strength isn’t just on the field,” Cena quipped, pointing to Messi. “It’s in the lives he changes.” The stadium’s energy was palpable, with fans chanting both “Cena!” and “Messi!” in unison.
The moment was more than just a photo-op. Cena and Messi spent time backstage discussing their shared passion for empowering youth. Cena, who has granted over 650 Make-A-Wish requests, connected with Messi over the latter’s work with the Leo Messi Foundation, which supports education and healthcare for underprivileged children. “We talked about how sports can lift kids up, give them hope,” Cena later shared on X. “Lionel’s heart is as big as his talent.” Messi, in turn, praised Cena’s commitment: “John’s work with kids inspires me. This night is about them.”
The event raised over $5 million, with proceeds funding sports facilities in underserved communities across Florida and Brazil. The Cena-Messi handshake became the night’s defining image, symbolizing unity across sports and cultures. Fans on X called it “when legends collide,” with one post summing it up: “Cena’s power, Messi’s magic—together, they’re unstoppable for a cause.” As the gala concluded, the two icons posed for photos with young attendees, leaving a lasting impact on all. In a world often divided, this meeting of giants showed the power of coming together for good.
