Afghanistan’s Kid with Plastic Bag Jersey Meets Lionel Messi

DBasia.news – The dream of Afghanistan kid Murtaza Ahmadi comes true when he meets his idol, Lionel Messi. Murtaza is trending when wearing a jersey with Messi’s name made of plastic. Now, Murtaza’s life is under the threat.

Murtaza’s picture wearing Lionel Messi jersey with a plastic bag was viral in 2016. Seeing that photo, the Barcelona player decided to meet him in Qatar and gave the signed jersey.

However, Messi’s gratitude turns to be a threat. Murtaza and his family currently live in Kabul after escaping from the battle in Ghazni Province, November 2018.

Murtaza’s family come from Syiah Hazara ethnic, the target of Taliban Sunni during the operation at Ghazni province on November. “Local strongmen were calling and saying, ‘You have become rich, pay the money you have received from Messi or we will take your son’,” said Murtaza’s mother, Shafiqa, reported by Telegraph.

The threat makes Murtaza’s family afraid of the attack from the Taliban. They left when they heard the gunshots. “We couldn’t take any of our belongings, we left only with our lives,” added Shafiqa.

To protect his son, Shafiqa covered Murtaza’s face with shawl during the escape. “The danger of the Taliban coming back is high, going back is not an option,” Shafiqa said.

Unfortunately, the ball and Messi-signed jersey left at home. Meanwhile, Murtaza’s dad, Arif, stayed in Jaghori as a farmer.