Lionel Messi Sends Autographed Jerseys to His Little Afghan Fan

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Agence France-Presse

Lionel Messi Sends Autographed Jerseys to His Little Afghan Fan

Lionel Messi autographed two jerseys, writing "With much love" in Spanish on them, for his Afghan fan Murtaza Ahmadi, who became an internet sensation when he was pictured wearing a plastic bag with "Messi" scrawled on it in marker pen

Reported By Agence France-Presse



Kabul: Lionel Messi has sent not one, but two jerseys to the five-year-old Afghan boy who became an Internet sensation last month when he was pictured wearing a plastic bag with "Messi" scrawled on it in marker pen. (Lionel Messi's 'Biggest Fan' In Plastic Bag Argentina Shirt Found in Afghanistan)

Murtaza Ahmadi travelled with his family from eastern Ghazni province to Kabul to receive the gifts sent by Messi through UNICEF, where he is a goodwill ambassador. (Lionel Messi Seeks to Meet Afghan Boy in Plastic Bag Argentina Jersey)

"Murtaza couldn't stop smiling. He kept repeating: I love Messi," UNICEF Afghanistan spokesman Denise Shepherd-Johnson told AFP.

Messi autographed the jerseys, writing "With much love" in Spanish on them, and added a football to the treasure trove, UNICEF said.

Read more: http://sports.ndtv.com/football/news/255896-lionel-messi-sends-autographed-jerseys-to-his-little-afghan-fan

[Herman4747]

1. I was truly hoping he would visit Murtaza...

...perhaps he will someday.

[Judi Lynn]

2. Same here. It would transform this tiny guy's life, and his brother's, and neighbors, etc.

That's one true fan if he wears a plastic bag his brother made to look like the jersey.

Also, hoping no bullies will steal his shirts. That would destroy the little guy.

[Herman4747]

3. (Response to post *title* just above): Yes, it would. And maybe the lives of other Afghans too.

Last edited Thu Feb 25, 2016, 05:28 PM - Edit history (1)

[jmowreader]

8. Scroll down to below Messi's picture

He's currently working with the Afghan Football Federation to visit Murtaza "as soon as possible."

[Herman4747]

9. Thanks, glad you noticed that!!

[Beacool]

4. I'm glad that he did.

Football, the real one, is indeed the #1 world sport. Any poor kid can play it, there's no need for gear and a ball can be made out of rags if need be. I'm glad that Messi sent the little boy and his brother jerseys. Maybe some day they can see him play live.

[Judi Lynn]

5. 'Mini Messi' sent Argentina shirts by his hero

'Mini Messi' sent Argentina shirts by his hero

He used to kick a ball around wearing a blue and white plastic bag with ‘Messi 10’ scrawled on the back in marker pen. Now little Murtaza Ahmadi, known around the world as ‘Mini Messi’, has the real thing.

In fact, Murtaza now has two brand new Argentina shirts courtesy of the Barcelona forward.

Lionel Messi sent the signed shirts through UNICEF, where he is an ambassador, to Kabul in Afghanistan. Murtaza then travelled with his family from their home in the eastern Ghazni province to pick them up.

"Murtaza couldn't stop smiling. He kept repeating: I love Messi," UNICEF Afghanistan spokesman Denise Shepherd-Johnson told AFP.

- video of "Mini Messi" at link -

http://www.dw.com/en/mini-messi-sent-argentina-shirts-by-his-hero/a-19075460

[Herman4747]

6. Murtaza happily wearing the signed jersey:

From CNN reporting on this: http://www.cnn.com/2016/02/25/football/messi-boy-murtaza-ahmadi-barcelona-argentina-shirt/index.html?sr=twCNN022516messi-boy-murtaza-ahmadi-barcelona-argentina-shirt0100PMStoryLink&linkId=21634938

[Judi Lynn]

7. Oooooh, he looks soooo proud! What a great little guy. Thank you for posting this photo! n/t