7-year-old Murtaza Ahmadi had to leave his house due to the threat of Taliban.
Remember the young Lionel Messi fan who became famous after being pictured wearing a makeshift soccer jersey? 7-year-old Murtaza Ahmadi’s photo wearing Messi’s jersey, made out of blue and white striped plastics, became viral on social media.
It led to Messi himself sending him a signed shirt via the children's charity UNICEF. Murtaza then got the chance to meet Messi when the Barcelona played a friendly match in Qatar. The young fan walked on to the pitch with his idol.
However, the fame seems to have become a problem for Murtaza and his family. He has been forced to leave his home in south-eastern Ghazni province of Afghanistan after Taliban threatened his family.
According to reports, Taliban militants launched an attack in the Jaghori district in November forcing his family to leave their place and rent a small room in Kabul.
The reports said that the room has no heating as the winter approaches.
Murtaza's mother said that they feared the fame has made him a Taliban target.
"Local strongmen were calling and saying, 'You have become rich, pay the money you have received from Messi or we will take your son'," his mother, Shafiqa, told AFP.
“At night we would sometimes see unknown men, watching and checking our house, and then the calls. During the days, we wouldn't dare let him outside home to play with other children.”
She even confirmed that they weren’t able to take the signed shirt - when then fled from their home.
“We couldn't take any of our belongings, we left only with our lives. The danger of the Taliban coming back is high. Going back is not an option,” Murtaza’s mother Shafiqa told AFP.
But Murtaza stills hopes to see Messi again despite all the struggles. He told AFP that he misses playing soccer and misses the jersey he got from Messi.
“I miss Messi,” he said. “When I meet him, I will say, 'Salaam' and 'How are you?' Then he will reply saying thank you and be safe, and I will go with him to the pitch where he will play and I will watch him.”
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