FILE PHOTO: Aleksandr Dmitriev plays with his family pet Messi, a two-year-eight-month-old cougar, in the town of Penza PENZA, Russia (Reuters) - In the mornings, Aleksandr Dmitriev is woken by his ...

SARANSK, Russia (Reuters) - Barely 20 months ago a Russian couple were oblivious of the basic rules of soccer. Now they are ardent fans and the transformation can only be attributed to Messi -- not ...

A couple who took in a sickly kitten from a zoo, have found themselves living with a 90lb puma. Mariya and Alexander Dmitriev fell in love with 'sickly' Messi so much when they saw him at their local ...

(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) MESSI'S OWNER, ALEKSANDR DMITRIEV, SAYING: "As much as I attached to him as much he is attached to me. In fact we have this very strong bond between each other. When for example ...

SARANSK, Russia, June 22 (Reuters) - Barely 20 months ago a Russian couple were oblivious of the basic rules of soccer. Now they are ardent fans and the transformation can only be attributed to Messi ...

PENZA, Russia, April 16 (Reuters) - In the mornings, Aleksandr Dmitriev is woken by his pet cat Messi nuzzling against his neck. Messi loves having his fur combed, and bounding around batting at a ...

SARANSK, Russia (Reuters) - Barely 20 months ago a Russian couple were oblivious of the basic rules of soccer. Now they are ardent fans and the transformation can only be attributed to Messi -- not ...

Josh Hart, Ben Stiller react to Knicks firing coach Tom Thibodeau after Eastern Conference finals run: 'He brought this team back' The Knicks fired coach Tom Thibodeau on Tuesday after he led the team ...

(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) MESSI'S OWNER, ALEKSANDR DMITRIEV, SAYING: "As much as I attached to him as much he is attached to me. In fact we have this very strong bond between each other. When for example ...

SARANSK, Russia (Reuters) - Barely 20 months ago a Russian couple were oblivious of the basic rules of soccer. Now they are ardent fans and the transformation can only be attributed to Messi -- not ...