Messi meets Afghan viral star

Six-year-old Murtaza Ahmadi – who became famous after wearing a homemade shirt bearing Lionel Messi's name – has met his Argentine hero.

Ahmadi walked out onto the pitch with the Barcelona star in Doha, Qatar ahead of their friendly clash against Al Ahli, which Luis Enrique's side won 5-3, thanks to goals from Luis Suarez, Neymar, Paco Alcacer, Rafinha and Messi.

However, the enduring image of the game is certain to be that of the 29-year-old leading the six-year-old onto the pitch. The boy had been photographed wearing the shirt made from a striped blue plastic bag which became viral in January, leading to Messi sending him a signed shirt, once his identity became known.

Ahmadi, who comes from the Jaghori District, in the eastern Ghazni province of Afghanistan, was forced to flee the country to Pakistan in May.

"The image the world wanted to see," tweeted the Supreme Committee of @roadto2022 on Tuesday.

"The six-year-old boy who dreamed of meeting his hero, #Messi, finally comes true."

Image via @MundoDeportivo

Tags Lionel Messi
La Liga - Club News