Child who wore Lionel Messi plastic bag shirt forced into exile by Taliban as family fear he could be kidnapped

Murtaza Ahmadi, the 5 year old child whose picture of him wearing a plastic bag jersey with Lionel Messi's name and number went viral early this year, has been forced into exile as his family fear he could be kidnapped by Talibans.

Now I want you to invite me so I can come and meet you." Then In February, UNICEF confirmed Murtaza had been sent a signed Argentina shirt by the World Player of the Year.

According to the boy's father, talibans in the area thought Messi must have also sent the boy some money alongside the signed jersey, so his family have had to relocate him amid fears he could be kidnapped and then Lionel Messi contacted to pay a ransom. Mohammad Arif Ahmadi told the BBC, "A few days ago I got a call from a local gangster," he said. He thought that since my son had received these T-shirts from Messi that maybe he also got money and asked for his share." The family have moved to neighbouring Pakistan after selling their possessions and are currently in Quetta. Source : BBC