Capitals star Ovechkin meets soccer icon Messi

Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin is used to meeting fans who are in awe of him, but Friday it was his turn.

Ovechkin and teammate Evgeny Kuznetsov, along with Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III, met soccer star Lionel Messi prior to Argentina's practice at Fed Ex Field in Landover, Md., to prepare for its friendly against El Salvador on Saturday.

"It was a big dream," Ovechkin told Monumental Network. "[Messi] is probably the best athlete out there, so it's a big honor, for [Kuznetsov] as well."

Messi, 27, leads La Liga with 32 goals in 28 games for FC Barcelona. Ovechkin, 29, has 47 goals in 73 games for the Capitals and is on pace to win the Rocket Richard trophy as the NHL's leading goal-scorer

"It's maybe a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet the best player in soccer right now," Ovechkin said. "I'm a big Barcelona fan and Messi fan, so it's huge. You can take [Michael] Jordan, [Mark] Messier, [Wayne] Gretzky, those kinds of [people]. It's an honor to meet. It's nice to be in that position."

Ovechkin presented Messi with a signed No. 8 Capitals jersey and posted a picture of the two on Twitter that said, "Just wow !!! the best !!!!!! Leo Messi !!!!!"

Griffin watched Messi practice on his home field and said he enjoys the game.

"I'm a big fan, and my wife loves soccer, or futbol," Griffin told CSN. "We follow [soccer] all the time and follow the World Cup. I do keep track on these guys, from Messi to Ronaldinho to [Cristiano] Ronaldo."

Kuznetsov was in awe of the soccer star.

"It's unbelievable," Kuznetsov said. "I am shaking right now I am so nervous."

The Capitals host the Nashville Predators Saturday at 12:30 p.m. at Verizon Center; Argentina plays El Salvador at 8:30 p.m.

Just wow !!! the best !!!!! Leo Messi !!!!! pic.twitter.com/4Z9QZoVAdh

— Alex Ovechkin (@ovi8) March 27, 2015

Now this is a picture! @ovi8 @Kuzya92 @rgiii and Leo Messi. Thank you @Argentina! pic.twitter.com/yA2fp92RYj

— Monumental Network (@MonumentalNtwrk) March 27, 2015