A young boy, no older than five, stands barefoot in the dust of a forgotten village in Afghanistan. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nameless next to the other thousands of young children. But upon his back is a tattered Lionel Messi jersey, torn at the edges, too big with the distinct blue and red stripes fading away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In that moment a photograph of that little boy is captured and circulated around the world, he is no longer a product of political complexity or the headline of a news story in a bombed outbuilding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He is human, he is seen. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This was the story of five-year-old Ahmadi Murtaza, when he was photographed wearing a Lionel Messi shirt made out of a plastic bag and immediately went viral across social media. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What was it about this little boy that got the globe talking? In short it was his \u2018shirt\u2019. A plastic bag with the Barcelona legend\u2019s name and number scribbled on the bag. So, what power does the humble football shirt have to elicit such deep-felt emotions?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Robin Bridgman, a volunteer for \u2018The Volunteer Zambia Foundation\u2019 charity, who delivered football workshops to the young people of Zambia said: \u201cThe reason football is so popular is firstly because of its accessibility. All you need is a ball and the ground, and when they didn\u2019t have a ball, they make one by melting plastic bags together.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Robin explained how whilst out in Zambia he observed waves of young people wearing football tops. During his eight-week trip last summer he aimed to make a positive impact on young people’s lives through sport and teaching workshops to other young coaches, making sure the work they did was sustainable, with the impact being felt for years to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Football acts as a global connector, and the shirts themselves act as a symbol of hope, identity and something we could all be united behind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Robin added: \u201cI know it sounds cliche, but I think in Zambia and other similar countries, football is a way of life for them. “<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I could feel how important football was to the kids. I mean I saw kids wearing Arsenal shirts, Barcelona shirts, even a Leeds shirt and it seems like they\u2019re proud of their club. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Football was the main thing we spoke about. They wanted to know things like who I supported and if I\u2019d been to any games, that sort of thing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A lot of the children grow up with footballers being their role models, and with the massive difference in class and income between the UK and Zambia, a lot of children work incredibly hard to reach the elite level of football with hopes of achieving a Premier League footballers\u2019 lifestyle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It seems not only do these football shirts transcend language barriers and cultural differences. They enable people to strike up relationships and create talking points. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But we are actually a lot more alike than we realise. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
They are choosing just like us to support their club and the shirts are worn with pride, not just for the sport but for what the shirt represents; connection to a global community and a dream of something much bigger. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
They act as a powerful tool of connection to not only the young people in these developing countries but across the globe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Henry Singleton, who embarked on a six month trip across South east Asia last summer, explained the massive difference it can have simply wearing your clubs colours even on the other side of the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said: \u201cI was wearing a Man United top on a night out and I would literally have people coming up to me patting my club crest and chanting at me, or people would come up to me and go \u2018No BOO Liverpool, Liverpool better!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt’s an easy way to go and talk to someone when you\u2019re far away from home and don\u2019t know anyone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I remember one time I was in Vang Vien in Laos. I had just arrived at my hostel and as I was walking in, a local boy saw me wearing my Man United top and I got invited to play a street game of football. Literally from wearing my top which I\u2019m pretty sure I was only wearing because I didn\u2019t have anything else clean. We went for a beer afterwards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“It could be a complete stranger but it\u2019s such an easy way to start a conversation when you know you have similar interests.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The media lead us to believe we are vastly different from these people; common ground is unimaginable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But the next time you\u2019re off to the pub and pull on your team\u2019s shirt, think of the young boy in Afghanistan who could also be wearing the same shirt as you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or maybe, you\u2019re a season ticket holder who doesn\u2019t miss a game and you\u2019re wearing your dad\u2019s retro Man United football shirt, think of the little girl in Zambia who\u2019s taking part in one of Robin\u2019s workshops. A football shirt is more than just fabric it reminds us of all that we cheer, we suffer, and we are united in remarkably similar ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n