Barcelona fan meets heroes
Khalan’s joy as football stars sign his shirt in Prestwick
They have a combined market value of no less than £ 302.6 million.
Clearly for a nine- year- old boy obsessed with Barcelona Football Club, this is the stuff of dreams.
Khalan Lendrum headed to Prestwick Airport after speculation the multi- millionaire footballing machines may be jetting back out to Spain.
The team jet had flown into Glasgow Airport for their Champions League tie against Celtic on Wednesday night.
But in an unusual move the team plane touched down in Ayrshire for the return flight.
Incredibly, only a dozen or so fans witnessed the game’s golden boys coolly sashay past on their way to customs control.
And Khalan managed to land six first- team autographs, namely Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Neymar Junior, Marc Andre Ter Stegen and Arda Turan.
Star- struck Khalan said: “I was very nervous, but all the players were really nice.
“We were in the right place at the right time and I couldn’t believe my eyes so many of them stopped for me.
“I had made up a piece of cardboard to fit inside my strip to it was easier for them to sign as they passed.
“It was great that the keeper Ter Stegen stopped for me... I am in goals for Ayr Valspar, though obviously not quite as good as him, yet.
“Messi is my hero and to get his signature is a dream.”
Ironically Khalan, who plays in goal for Ayr Valspar 2007s, is unable to play at the moment after he badly twisted his right leg while playing rugby.
The Primary 5 at Wellington School and naturally has become the envy of schoolboys everywhere.
Mum and dad Tom and Caroline were both at the airport to witness the spectacle, capturing the special moment on their mobile phones.
Caroline said: “He is a huge Barcelona fan and without doubt Messi is his favourite. To cheer him up after his injury we went to see the Manchester City v Barcelona game last month.
“But I think this was even more special — I don’t think the other school mums will be talking to me!
” We were very lucky with where we stood, especially as we didn’t even know they would pass through.”
It was 11.15pm by the time the players arrived in Prestwick, along with their youth team players.
Messi has a market value of £ 102m, Neymar £ 85m, Suarez £ 76.5m, Turan £ 23.8m and Ter Stegen £ 15.3m.
Khalan’s market value will be reassessed once he is back in the Ayr Valspar side.