Celtic and Barcelona are in Dublin today to face-off in a friendly game, with Barca taking a largely second-string squad to Ireland, with two notable exceptions: Leo Messi and Luis Suarez, with Messi using the lead-up to the occasion to shower praise upon his opponents.
Ahead of kick-off, the squad met Celtic youngster Jay Beatty, an official ambassador for Celtic FC Foundation.
Jay will be recognisable to many of you. He is a Celtic fanatic from Armagh, and was carried onto the field by Georgios Samaras for Celtic's lap of honour following the league title win in 2014. Neil Lennon also gave his medal to young Jay. Prior to this, Jay had travelled along with the first-team on the team bus to a Champions League qualifier with Cliftonville in 2013.
Jay is in Dublin for the friendly with Barca, where he was introduced to the more famous members of Barca's squad. Jay's Dad capturing the video of the moment he met Messi. He was awestruck:
📸 @FoundationCFC Ambassador Wee Jay with Lionel Messi ahead of today's @IntChampionsCup fixture. 🙌🏽 #ICC2016 (LA) pic.twitter.com/X7csyET1la
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) July 30, 2016
Barcelona also captured some images:
The team received a visit from Jay Beatty, Ambassador of the Celtic FC Foundation. @FoundationCFC pic.twitter.com/bYPdc4Nvht
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) July 30, 2016
A lovely moment.
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