{"id":9400,"date":"2016-12-14T18:35:00","date_gmt":"2016-12-14T18:35:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/associatednews.us\/content\/2016\/12\/14\/it-is-a-dream-says-afghan-little-messi-of-meeting-his-idol\/"},"modified":"2016-12-14T18:35:00","modified_gmt":"2016-12-14T18:35:00","slug":"it-is-a-dream-says-afghan-little-messi-of-meeting-his-idol","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/associatednews.us\/content\/it-is-a-dream-says-afghan-little-messi-of-meeting-his-idol\/","title":{"rendered":"'It Is A Dream,' Says Afghan 'Little Messi' Of Meeting His Idol"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Bill Chappell<\/a><\/span> <\/p>\n

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Lionel Messi’s biggest fan, 6-year-old Murtaza Ahmady, met the soccer superstar Tuesday, months after wearing a homemade shirt mimicking the Argentine’s jersey. They’re seen here in Doha, Qatar, in a meeting arranged by the organizing committee of the 2022 World Cup. The Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, SC via AP<\/strong> hide caption<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, SC via AP<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

It all started with a plastic bag. Months after a boy in rural Afghanistan became a sensation for wearing a homemade Lionel Messi jersey, he has now met the soccer star and watched his FC Barcelona team play in Qatar.<\/p>\n

“I’m very happy to have met my hero. It is a dream for me,” Murtaza Ahmadi said of his time with Messi.<\/p>\n

Routinely ranked as one of the best soccer players in history, Messi had already brightened Murtaza’s life back in February<\/a>, when he sent several signed Argentine national team jerseys and a new soccer ball to the boy. The gifts were relayed via UNICEF, an organization that counts Messi as a goodwill ambassador.<\/p>\n

At the time, Murtaza said, “I love Messi and my shirt says Messi loves me.”<\/p>\n

Tuesday’s meeting between superstar and superfan was arranged by Qatar’s Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, organizers of the country’s hosting of the 2022 World Cup. We’ll also note that Qatar Airways is a key sponsor of Messi’s Barcelona team.<\/p>\n

It was quite a day for Murtaza: In addition to meeting Messi at his hotel, he gave the superstar a big hug and held his hand as they ran onto the pitch where Barcelona would play a local pro team. Murtaza stayed by his favorite player’s side through handshakes and Barcelona’s team photo.<\/p>\n

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Murtaza just didn’t want to leave his idol Messi. His dream finally came true..
pic.twitter.com\/U8wnMTiHPV<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Leo Messi (@messi10stats) December 13, 2016<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

Murtaza was also given the important job of placing the ball at midfield before play began \u2014 but when a referee directed the boy off the field, he instead made a beeline to Messi<\/a>, who again grabbed his hand.<\/p>\n

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