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Lionel Messi shirt given to Afghan boy who dressed in improvised jersey

By Gerard Brand

Thursday 25 February 2016 11:55, UK

UNICEF Afghanistan posted this picture of a child celebrating after Lionel Messi gave him a signed shirt and football
Image: Murtaza Ahmadi given signed Lionel Messi shirt

A five-year-old Afghan boy who became an online sensation after pictures of him dressed in an improvised Lionel Messi jersey has received the real thing.

Murtaza Ahmadi idolises the Argentina international but his family in rural Ghazni province, to the south-west of the capital Kabul, cannot afford to buy him a real kit.

Ahmadi was sent the Argentina shirt, signed by Messi, after his elder brother Homayoun, 15, made him a plastic shirt with the Barcelona forward's named scrawled in marker pen, before posting the image on Facebook.

Murtaza Ahmadi, 5, with his plastic bag jersey
Image: Murtaza Ahmadi, 5, with his plastic bag jersey

Jorge Messi, Lionel's father, confirmed last month his son was aware of the photos and "wants to do something" for his young supporter.

UNICEF Afghanistan posted on their Twitter account: "Murtaza has the real thing now! #LeoMessi helped make his dream come true & gave him signed jerseys & a football."

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Ahmadi himself said: "I love Messi and my shirt says Messi loves me."

Murtaza Ahmadi, 5, wears his Messi shirt made from a plastic bag
Image: Jorge Messi, Lionel's father, confirmed last month his son was aware of the photos

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