Viral 'Plastic Bag' Boy Refuses to Leave Lionel Messi's Side After Meeting His Hero
Watch the moment.
Earlier this year, five-year-old Murtaza Ahmadi became an internet sensation after being photographed in a homemade replica of Lionel Messi’s famous stripped 10 jersey. The picture went viral and after Messi’s biggest fan was identified and tracked down to Afghanistan’s eastern Ghazni province, efforts were made to bring Murtaza and the Barcelona star together. With the help of the the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, Ahmadi was able to meet his favorite player in Qatar when FC Barcelona faced Al-Ahli in an exhibition match. Ahmadi was selected to be one of the player escorts to walk out onto the pitch along side his idol, Messi. As the other player escorts made their way off the pitch, Ahmadi stayed by Messi’s side, even joining in on the team photo. Watch the heartwarming video below. Ahmadi states:
“I’m very happy to have met my hero. It is a dream for me. I can’t wait to see Messi at the game, it will be the first time for me in the stadium.”
— Hamayon Ahmadi (@AhmadiHamayon) March 10, 2016
Murtaza Ahmadi, menino afegão que teve sua foto correndo o mundo, conheceu seu herói Messi, e não quis largá-lo mais!#TudoPeloFutebol pic.twitter.com/QmIqGeWbwW
— Mundo ESPN (@ESPNagora) December 13, 2016
Messi finally met the young Afghan boy who made his kit out of a plastic bag and he wouldn’t leave his side pic.twitter.com/DmeSZyQE67
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) December 13, 2016
