Messi sends signed shirts to Afghan boy who wore homemade jersey
Earlier this year, a 5-year-old Afghan boy made international headlines after photos of him wearing a Lionel Messi shirt made from a plastic bag went viral.
Today, little Murtaza Ahmadi is the proud owner of the real thing.
UNICEF Afghanistan confirmed the soccer star sent the youngster two signed jerseys and a ball to "make his dream come true."
Murtaza has the real thing now! #LeoMessi helped make his dream come true & gave him signed jerseys & a football. pic.twitter.com/ls6nUOdaBL
— UNICEF Afghanistan (@UNICEFAfg) February 25, 2016
As Sky News reported, Murtaza's older brother posted a photo of the improvised jersey he cobbled together out of plastic with Messi's number 10 on the back. The photo quickly went viral, striking a chord with soccer fans worldwide.
Afghanistan Football Federation has confirmed that Messi will meet his 5 year old fan Murtaza at Camp Nou ❤️💙.. pic.twitter.com/HTNKlzxw3y
— Leo Messi (@messi10stats) February 1, 2016
Murtaza's father, a farmer, said that he couldn't afford to buy a jersey and said that his son played with a punctured ball. According to Sky News, Messi's father said his son caught wind of the story and vowed to "do something."
Messi sent Argentinian and FC Barcelona shirts and a ball to the UNICEF office in Kabul, the station reported.
The Associated Press reported that the Afghan Football Federation had been trying to set up a meeting between Messi and the boy.
Murtaza's reaction to getting his new jersey? "I love Messi and my shirt says Messi loves me."