Murtaza Ahmadi, a five-year-old Afghan Lionel Messi fan poses for photograph, as he wears a donated shirt signed by Messi, in Kabul on Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. (AP Rahmat Gul)
The father of a five-year-old Afghan boy who received autographed shirts from Lionel Messi has said they are eager to travel to Spain to meet the football star.
Mohammad Arif Ahmadi, the father of Murtaza Ahmadi, who was pictured wearing a homemade Argentina shirt with No 10 on the back, said they want to thank Barcelona star Messi, a Unicef goodwill ambassador, in person.
Afghan football federation spokesman Ali Kazimi said it has prepared passports for the boy, his father and uncle to travel to Spain. He said it is waiting for a response about a meeting.
Murtaza was photographed wearing Messi's signed Argentina shirt at Unicef's office in Kabul.
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