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Lionel Messi is giving new meaning to the phrase “international friendly”. Prior to a match with Al-Ahli Saudi FC, the Argentinian soccer star — who plays for the Spanish club Barcelona — met with 6-year-old Afghan fan Murtaza Ahmadi in Dohar, Qatar.

Lionel Messi meets Murtaza Ahmadi in Qatar

Murtaza had the honor of walking Messi onto the field and lingering during warm ups.

Murtaza Ahmadi fan card with Lionel Messi plastic-bag jersey

A year ago, Murtaza made news around the world after pictures surfaced of him wearing a plastic-bag imitation Messi jersey made by his elder brother, Hamayon.

BARCELONA 5-3 AL-AHLI

A photo posted by FC Barcelona (@fcbarcelona) on

Messi didn’t disappoint his little fan. He contributed Barca’s second goal at the 10 minute mark on way to a 5-3 victory over Al-Ahli. Messi’s Blaugrana co-stars Luis Suarez and Neymar also scored and Pablo Alcacer notched his first goal.