Dream comes true as Messi invites schoolboy for kickabout on beach
A schoolboy couldn’t believe his luck when he was invited to play kickabout with one of the greatest footballers of all time. Mackenzie O’Neill, who plays in goal for Faversham Strike Force, was on holiday with his mum Anna in Antigua and playing on his own when he was beckoned over to play with none other than Lionel Messi. The 11-year-old, from Canterbury, said seeing the Barcelona and Argentine superstar’s skills up close was ‘incredible’.
He told the Argentinian sports daily Ole: “His dad, Jorge threw a ball to me and asked if I wanted to play.
“We played football together with his son Thiago for 45 minutes.”
His proud mum Anna admitted she did not know who Messi was at first.
But after Googling his name, she rushed to the beach to film a clip of them playing on her phone and the superstar was happy to pose for a photograph with her son.
And Mackenzie later posted a picture of himself with the footballer on his Instagram page, saying “today a dream came true.”
The schoolboy added: “Later I ended up swimming with Messi. We went on a little boat and spent a lot of time in the water.
“He acted like a normal dad, he enjoyed seeing his son play with other children. He lifted me on his shoulders and Thiago followed me wherever I went.” Asked if Messi gave him any tips, he said: “No, because he doesn’t speak English. But seeing how skilful he was was enough advice for me.” Mackenzie continued: “The last night Messi and his family were here I was playing with Thiago and gave him my football to keep.
“But he ran after me along the beach and insisted I keep it. “Afterwards Messi and his wife said goodbye to me with huge smiles. I am not going to forget them.”
FIFA even congratulated Messi, tweeting a photo of him with Mackenzie, saying “When you get invited for a beach kick about with one of the greatest players of all time... great gesture by Lionel Messi.”