Messi, a UNICEF goodwill ambassador, also gave his tiny fan an autographed jersey and a football. Sports were rarely tolerated under the 1996-2001 Taliban regime, and the Kabul football stadium was a well-known venue for stonings and executions. Shafiqa said she hid her famous son’s face with a scarf to prevent him from being recognised as they fled. Among their belongings left behind are the football and jersey signed by Messi. ‘I miss Messi’Although Afghan security forces have beaten back the Taliban in Jaghori, the family says it no longer feels safe.

Source: Egypt Independent December 06, 2018 04:41 UTC