Young Lionel Messi fan wearing plastic bag jersey found in Afghanistan

    By Hilary Whiteman, CNN

    Updated 1805 GMT (0205 HKT) February 11, 2016

    Murtaza Ahmadi, 5, gained worldwide fame after being photographed wearing a plastic bag with Lionel Messi's name on it. He and his family have fled rural Afghanistan for Pakistan after receiving threats, his father told CNN.
    Photos: Lionel Messi's biggest fan?
    Murtaza Ahmadi, 5, gained worldwide fame after being photographed wearing a plastic bag with Lionel Messi's name on it. He and his family have fled rural Afghanistan for Pakistan after receiving threats, his father told CNN.
    Hide Caption
    1 of 12
    Murtaza wears the autographed Lionel Messi Argentina shirt given to him by the soccer superstar and UNICEF. He had been pictured in his native Afghanistan wearing a striped plastic bag with the star's name and number written on it to replicate a shirt.
    Photos: Lionel Messi's biggest fan?
    Murtaza wears the autographed Lionel Messi Argentina shirt given to him by the soccer superstar and UNICEF. He had been pictured in his native Afghanistan wearing a striped plastic bag with the star's name and number written on it to replicate a shirt.
    Hide Caption
    2 of 12
    UNICEF Afghanistan representative Akhil Iyer presents the thrilled Murtaza with his gifts from Messi, the Argentine star who plays for Barcelona.
    Photos: Lionel Messi's biggest fan?
    UNICEF Afghanistan representative Akhil Iyer presents the thrilled Murtaza with his gifts from Messi, the Argentine star who plays for Barcelona.
    Hide Caption
    3 of 12
    Murtaza dribbles as a UNICEF staffer takes on the role of goalkeeper.
    Photos: Lionel Messi's biggest fan?
    Murtaza dribbles as a UNICEF staffer takes on the role of goalkeeper.
    Hide Caption
    4 of 12
    Murtaza points proudly to the dedication and autograph from Messi, who scored twice for Barcelona in their Champions League win over Arsenal in London.
    Photos: Lionel Messi's biggest fan?
    Murtaza points proudly to the dedication and autograph from Messi, who scored twice for Barcelona in their Champions League win over Arsenal in London.
    Hide Caption
    5 of 12
    Murtaza emulates his hero as he scores a goal wearing the Argentina captain's shirt.
    Photos: Lionel Messi's biggest fan?
    Murtaza emulates his hero as he scores a goal wearing the Argentina captain's shirt.
    Hide Caption
    6 of 12
    Murtaza shows off his skills with his Messi-autographed football.
    Photos: Lionel Messi's biggest fan?
    Murtaza shows off his skills with his Messi-autographed football.
    Hide Caption
    7 of 12
    Murtaza holds the plastic bag that made him famous. His father, Muhammad Arif Ahmadi, told CNN the five-year-old's brother made it for him when he wouldn't stop crying. "I told him that we were living in a poor village far from the city and it was impossible for me to get him the shirt," he said.
    Photos: Lionel Messi's biggest fan?
    Murtaza holds the plastic bag that made him famous. His father, Muhammad Arif Ahmadi, told CNN the five-year-old's brother made it for him when he wouldn't stop crying. "I told him that we were living in a poor village far from the city and it was impossible for me to get him the shirt," he said.
    Hide Caption
    8 of 12
    "He kept crying for days, asking for the shirt, until his brother Hamayon helped him make one from the plastic bag to make him happy," Ahmadi said. "He stopped crying after wearing that plastic bag shirt."
    Photos: Lionel Messi's biggest fan?
    "He kept crying for days, asking for the shirt, until his brother Hamayon helped him make one from the plastic bag to make him happy," Ahmadi said. "He stopped crying after wearing that plastic bag shirt."
    Hide Caption
    9 of 12
    The Ahmadis lived in Jaghori, southwest of Kabul in Afghanistan. Murtaza wants to be a footballer when he grows up.
    Photos: Lionel Messi's biggest fan?
    The Ahmadis lived in Jaghori, southwest of Kabul in Afghanistan. Murtaza wants to be a footballer when he grows up.
    Hide Caption
    10 of 12
    The original image, posted to Twitter in mid-January, showed Murtaza from behind. Internet users shared the picture in a bid to discover his identity.
    Photos: Lionel Messi's biggest fan?
    The original image, posted to Twitter in mid-January, showed Murtaza from behind. Internet users shared the picture in a bid to discover his identity.