From plastic jersey to the real thing, Afghan boy gets signed Lionel Messi shirt

New Delhi: The Afghan boy Murtaza Ahmadi who became an online sensation after wearing a homemade plastic shirt bearing Barcelona and Argentina superstar Lionel Messi's famous number 10, has finally received a real jersey - from the footballer himself.

Murtaza was sent a signed Argentina shirt and football from the Barcelona forward.

The boy realised one of his biggest dreams when he received team jerseys and an autographed football with a personal message Messi, according to post on the Facebook and instagram page of UNICEF Afghanistan.

"I love Messi and my shirt says Messi loves me," Murtaza said after getting the signed shirt.

The child known as "Messi's biggest fan", five-year-old Murtaza Ahmadi, comes from the Jaghori District, in the eastern Ghazni province of Afghanistan.

His father confirmed that Murtaza was "extremely happy".

As of today, Murtaza Ahmadi can proudly show off the new signed jerseys and a football he received from UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Leo Messi. Murtaza's photo went viral after he was pictured wearing an Argentine National Team soccer jersey made from a plastic bag with ‘Messi’ and the number ’10’ penned on the back. "I love Messi and my shirt says Messi loves me," said five-year old Murtaza. This year UNICEF is appealing for $2.8billion to reach 43 million children trapped in emergencies worldwide. Like so many other children, he has the same right to thrive, play, and practice sports. #children #childhood #ChildrenFirst #Afghanistan#unicef#instalike #instagood #instaphoto #instanofilter © UNICEF Afghanistan/2016/Mahdy Mehraeen

A photo posted by UNICEF AFGHANISTAN (@unicefafghanistan) on Feb 25, 2016 at 6:03am PST

Messi is a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Children's Emergency Fund (Unicef) and the agency helped to get the shirt to the boy

“Murtaza is one in 43 million children trapped in emergencies worldwide. Like so many other children, he has the same right to thrive, play, and practice sports,” Unicef Afghanistan said on its Facebook page.