Afghan boy who wore plastic Argentina shirt accompanies Messi out on to the field in Qatar

Prior to FC Barcelona’s friendly game against Al-Ahli there was a touching meeting between Leo Messi and Murtaza Ahmadi, the youngster from Afghanistan who became famous for being photographed playing football wearing a homemade plastic Argentina number 10 shirt. Football mad Murtaza was invited to the game in the Al-Gharrafa Stadium by the Qatari hosts and prior to the encounter between Saudi side Al-Ahli and Barça, he met Leo Messi in person at a ‘Meet&Greet’ event at the team’s hotel.

The best was still to come for the Afghan boy as he accompanied Leo Messi and his team mates out on to the field at the Al-Gharrafa Stadium. Murtaza squeezed the Barça number 10’s hand tight as the teams emerged from the tunnel and after having his photo taken with his idols, in a touching scene, the youngster showed himself to be reluctant to the leave the side of his hero, much to the delight of the Barça players. In the end he had to be scooped up and escorted off the field by a smiling referee.

Leo Messi, via UNICEF, had previously sent young Murtaza a Barça and an Argentina shirt and this Tuesday in Doha the young Afghan enjoyed an experience that he will surely never forget.