Messi's special celebration for 11-year-old

Anyone who watched Barcelona's 8-0 victory over Osasuna last weekend might have noticed a rather odd celebration from Lionel Messi after he scored the opening goal of the match.

Messi did his traditional celebration of lifting his hands to the sky but he then followed that up by seemingly inexplicably slapping his thighs.

However, there was good reason why Messi did what he did - it was a special signal he had worked out with an 11-year-old boy from Morocco named Soufian to show that he was dedicating the goal especially to him.

Soufian lost both of his legs due to the rare genetic condition called Laurin-Sandrow syndrome, but he has kept up his love for football thanks to his artificial legs.

Last January he got to meet his hero Messi thanks to the Spanish version of Jim'll Fix It and the two even had a kickabout together.

Then last Friday, when they met for a second time, Messi said he would try and score a goal in Barcelona's match the following day and dedicate it especially to Soufian.

They then worked out the thigh-slapping signal, and Messi proved to be as good as his word when he gave Barcelona the lead after just five minutes.

The Argentine superstar went on to score a hat-trick and hit the woodwork twice.

Soufian is such a big Messi fan that he has his artificial legs painted in Barcelona's colours with Messi's number 10 on them.

Messi's goal dedication was far from the first charitable act from the famously publicity-shy 24-year-old.

In 2007, Messi set up his own 'Leo Messi Foundation' which helps vulnerable children gain access to better health and education opportunities.

In a rare interview with a fan site Messi said: "Being a bit famous now gives me the opportunity to help people who really need it, particularly children."

Messi's actions come a week after his main rival for the 'best footballer in the world' title - Cristiano Ronaldo of Barcelona's bitter rivals Real Madrid - said that the "only reason" why people gave him abuse was "because I am rich, handsome and a great player people are envious of me".

World of Sport will let you make up your own mind as to who is the better role model.

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