Watch: Lionel Messi plays football with an 11-year-old fan on a beach in Antigua. The Barcelona star was holidaying with his family in the Caribbean beach.
Lionel Messi is arguably the most popular footballer in the world. He has inspired millions to take up the sport and many children around the world dream for a chance to kick ball with him. One such fan, finally got a chance to make his dream come true.
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The Barcelona star was pictured last week in a beach in Antigua playing football with his son Thiago and three other children, including a blonde schoolboy. The kid, identified as Mackenzie O’Neill, who holidays at the same beach every year found himself in a position most children around the world day dream of.
The London school boy told sports daily Ole:
“Messi was with his family on the beach. I was on my own and began to kick my ball a few feet from where they were.
“His dad Jorge threw a ball to me and asked if I wanted to play with them and then we played football with Thiago and Messi for 45 minutes.
“Thiago is a fantastic player for his age and wasn’t shy about playing. Playing with Messi was incredible.
Watch: Lionel Messi plays football with an 11-year-old fan on a beach
¿Te imaginás estar en la playa, de vacaciones, y que salga un "picadito" con LEO MESSI? ¡Eso mismo le pasó a estos pequeños fanáticos en el Caribe! pic.twitter.com/E8VFOr0RU0
— SportsCenter (@SC_ESPN) July 19, 2019
Sweet Goodbye
When asked if he received any advice from Messi, the Londoner replied in the negative saying that the language barrier between the two prevented him from doing so. However, Messi’s wife, Antonella Roccuzzo acted as a translator for the two.
“No, because he doesn’t speak English, but seeing how skilful he was, was enough advice for me.” Young Mackenzie said.
“Messi’s wife translated because she speaks English very well. Later on, I ended up swimming with Messi and we went out on a little boat and spent a lot of time in the water.
The little boy then gave a little insight into what Messi is like as a father before ending the interview with a sweet story of how the Messi family said goodbye to him.
“Playing with Leo in the water was great fun. He acted like a normal dad. I also realised that Messi really enjoyed seeing his son play with other children.”
“The last night Messi and his family were here I was playing with Thiago and gave him my football to keep.
“But he ran after me along the beach and insisted I keep it. Afterwards Messi and his wife said goodbye to me with huge smiles. I am not going to forget them.”
https://twitter.com/legitngnews/status/1153303511582617600
This is definitely a story the young English lad will recount for the rest of his life.
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