KABUL: The Afghan Football Federation plans to set up a meeting between Lionel Messi and five-year-old Afghan fan Martaza Ahmadi who became an internet sensation when photos circulated of him wearing an improvised Messi shirt made from a plastic bag.

Afghan federation spokesman Sayed Ali Kazemi said on Tuesday they hope Messi can come to Afghanistan to visit the boy, but otherwise they will arrange to send him to Spain, where Messi plays with Barcelona, or arrange a meeting in a third country.

Murtaza Ahmadi became an internet star after pictures of him playing football near his home in eastern Ghazni province became viral.

They show him wearing the plastic bag - in blue and white stripes like the Argentina national shirt - with Messi 10 written in black marker.

Kabul's football federation said on Monday that Barcelona star Lionel Messi is hoping to arrange a meeting with the Afghan boy.

Jorge Messi, Lionel's father, said on Saturday that the footballer was aware of the photos that made waves on social media and “wants to do something” for his young fan.