Murtaza Ahmadi, the five-year-old Afghan boy who became an internet sensation after poignantly being pictured wearing a plastic bag with ‘Messi 10’ written on the back, has sadly had to flee to neighbouring Pakistan.
The decision was made by his father after he had received a number of kidnapping threats via telephone. Mohammad Arif Ahmadi said he subsequently had no choice as he feared both for his and for his son’s lives.
“Life became miserable for us,” Mohammad told the BBC. “I sold all my belongings and brought my family out of Afghanistan to save my son’s life as well as the lives of the rest of my loved ones.”
The young boy’s instant internet fame prompted a concerted effort to find him, and once his identity was confirmed the Afghan Football Federation promised to arrange a meeting between Murtaza and his idol Lionel Messi.
Unfortunately Messi was not able to visit Afghanistan, nor could little Murtaza find his way to Spain, but somewhat of a compromise was made and Murtaza now proudly wears an Argentina shirt signed by the five-time Ballon D’Or winner.
Nevertheless the young lad remains optimistic of finally meeting the Barcelona legend, according to his father: “Murtaza hopes that one day he would be able to meet his hero, Messi.
Source yahoo sports
