26/02/2016
The plastic bag shirt boy receives football and jerseys from his hero Messi. It started with a heartbreaking photograph that sparked a worldwide campaign to find the little boy wearing a striped plastic bag with the name of his hero, Leo Messi, written in felt-tip pen on the back.
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.
© UNICEF Afghanistan/2016/Mahdy Mehraeen