Pitch invader gets to embrace his idol Messi at the Copa America

A passionate, and very determined, Lionel Messi fan experienced a moment he will never forget with a face-to-face encounter with his idol, after evading security during Argentina's 4-0 Copa America Centenario semi-final win over the United States.

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The pitch invader bowed down to Messi and shared a hug with the Argentinian maestro as he returned to the field after the half-time interval.

#USAvARG #VamosArgentina here is the video of the crazy fan running in the field to hug #Messi #stupid #dangerous pic.twitter.com/9OB7yFitYh — MiamiSun (@jperezmiami) June 22, 2016

While the fan was eventually brought in by security, he managed to score an autograph and plenty of cheers from other football fans at Houston's NRG Stadium.

While it appeared a moment of spontaneous madness, the fan's twitter account revealed it was a well-planned operation to meet his favourite football star.

Prior to running on to the pitch, and taking on security and the risk of arrest, the fan live tweeted the build-up to the big moment while a friend live broadcast the moment on streaming service Periscope.  

It's not the first time Messi has been caught in the middle of an overzealous fan's exuberant displays of affection.

During Argentina's group stage match with Panama a young Barcelona fan jumped the fence to meet his idol before being tackled by security.

In January, Messi gave his shirt to a fan during a Barcelona win at Malaga in La Liga.

Messi was celebrating with team-mate Luis Suarez when he was met by a young male fan who, just before being rushed off the pitch, was given the superstar’s shirt.