14 May,2012 08:58 AM IST | | Agencies
Waleed Kashash, who was diagnosed with growth hormone deficiency (GHD), had dreamt of beating the disorder to make the grade as a footballer, but the cost of his treatment threatened to destroy his hopes.
However, a woman named Soad al-Affani decided to notify Messi of the youngsters' illness, to which the Argentine replied by stating that he would cover his costs of 3000 dirham (£167) every 15 days until he becomes 18.
Messi then took a photo of himself holding Waleed's T-shirt and wrote a message for him to be strong and with all of his love.