QUETTA – The Afghan boy who became popular on social media for fashioning a homemade shirt bearing Lionel Messi’s number 10 has recently arrived in Pakistan. The five-year-old Murtaza Ahmedi, who hails from Jaghori District arrived in Quetta few days ago, BBC Urdu reported on Monday. “I really like Messi, I wish I can meet him,” said Murtaza, while speaking in Persian to BBC Urdu. Murtaza’s cousin said that the five-year-old’s family brought him to Quetta on fear that he might get kidnapped after gaining popularity. He said that the Afghan Football Federation (AFF) had promised to help Murtaza meet Messi but they didn’t fulfil it. The young Messi fan’s cousin requested the Pakistan and Afghan governments to help shape Murtaza’s dream into reality. Earlier this year, Murtaza received a signed Argentina shirt and football from Messi. The Barcelona star Lionel Messi had also expressed his desire to arrange a meeting with the Afghan boy. Jorge Messi, Lionel’s father said that his son was aware of the photos that made waves on the social media and “wants to do something” for his young fan, AFP reported. Murtaza became an internet star after a picture of him wearing a makeshift plastic Messi jersey went viral. Photos of the boy wearing the improvised Lionel Messi jersey — made from grocery bags discarded by their neighbour — has touched a chord with football fans around the world.