Shaking hands with Lionel Messi and posing for a photograph with the football legend, it was a dream come true and a moment to cherish for two Doha-based specially-abled brothers.
Dominic and Daniel, expatriates from India, were invited by FIFA to watch the World Cup semi-final between Argentina and Croatia at Lusail Stadium. Besides Messi, the duo got the opportunity to meet Argentina players and shook hands with the likes of Julian Alvarez and Enzo Fernandez and Paulo Dybala in the Mixed Zone of the stadium while the two teams were heading into the ground for the kickoff.
“For me, it’s like a long-pending dream coming true. I was more than excited while Messi shook my hands and wished me,” said Dominic, who is a diehard Argentina fan.
In fact, Dominic said, "I don’t remember who all passed by me after I was greeted by Messi and handshake with him."
Dominic (16) and Daniel (11) suffer from Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a genetic disorder characterised by the progressive loss of muscle. The two boys, along with their parents Vinu Joseph and Bindu Simon, were given a special invitation by FIFA to attend the match after Vinu’s colleague Koshy Panicker approached the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy.
In the Mixed Zone, the family took a photo with Messi, and the two boys also accompanied the Argentina players to the ground for their national anthem.
Daniel, a Portugal fan, was also glad to meet and greet some of his favourite players.
Vinu said the family was given due care and consideration inside the stadium with a range of services and facilities to ensure connectivity and mobility for specially-abled fans. The family was offered a room in the stadium lobby, which was equipped with the latest assistive technology and educational and rehabilitation equipment. The stadiums have sensory rooms for people with intellectual disabilities.