Lionel Messi meets Afghan boy made famous by homemade Argentina shirt

Published: December 13 2016 | 20:08

Last updated: December 16 2016 | 23:34

Murtaza Ahmadi, the Afghan boy who became an online hit after wearing a homemade Argentina shirt bearing Lionel Messi's famous number 10, meets his hero in Qatar.

Lionel Messi has met the Afghan boy who became famous after being photographed wearing a homemade shirt bearing the Argentina star's famous number 10.

A photograph of six-year-old Murtaza Ahmadi wearing the shirt, which was made from a striped blue plastic bag, went viral in January.

Messi responded by sending Murtaza a real Albiceleste shirt, but on Tuesday, Barcelona travelled to Doha to play a friendly against Al Ahli and Messi greeted the youngster before the game.

Murtaza also took part in the team photograph and placed the ball on the centre spot before kickoff.

أخيراً مرتضى يلتقي بميسي! اللجنة العليا ساعدت الطفل الأفغاني على تحقيق حلمه في #قطر. #الاهلي_برشلونة pic.twitter.com/LFHau5wWMj
— Road to 2022 (@roadto2022) December 13, 2016

Messi scored as the Catalan giants beat their Saudi Arabian opponents in a 5-3 thriller.