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Sometimes, dreams come true in the most unexpected ways. A simple photograph of a five-year-old boy in a plastic bag jersey traveled across continents and reached the heart of football legend Lionel Messi. What began as a child’s improvised tribute soon turned into a story of generosity and connection.
A Photo That Captured the World
In early 2016, the image of the small boy in rural Afghanistan wearing a jersey made from a blue-and-white plastic bag began circulating online. The name Messi and the number '10' were scrawled across the back in black marker.
The viral boy was five-year-old Murtaza Ahmadi. He was playing football with a grin as wide as the field itself. The shirt wasn’t store-bought, but it carried the weight of a dream.
Messi's Response
The photograph made its way to Lionel Messi via UNICEF, where the Argentine star serves as a Goodwill Ambassador. Touched by the boy’s creativity and devotion, Messi arranged a surprise.
On February 25, 2016, Murtaza received a package containing two signed jerseys, one for Argentina and one for Barcelona, and a brand-new football. UNICEF Afghanistan confirmed the delivery, and images of the boy proudly wearing his real Messi shirt were shared across news outlets worldwide.
Meeting the Hero
That year, the story took another turn. On December 13, 2016, Murtaza walked hand-in-hand with Messi as a mascot before Barcelona’s friendly match against Al-Ahli in Doha. Wearing his official kit, he clung to Messi in a hug that seemed to erase the distance between a village in Afghanistan and the world’s biggest football stages. The moment was captured by photographers and broadcast globally, cementing it as one of football’s most heartwarming scenes.
Beyond the Spotlight
The attention also brought challenges. Security concerns forced Murtaza’s family to move multiple times in the years that followed. Yet, despite the difficulties, the gifts and the meeting with his hero remain treasured memories, a reminder that sometimes, hope can be delivered in a cardboard box.
Nearly a decade later, the image of that plastic jersey still resurfaces online.
