Barcelona star Lionel Messi, who is very popular among students at the Pyongyang International Football School, has been invited by a top North Korean football official to visit their brand new football academy .
Despite largely being a secluded country, kids within the country are reportedly in awe of the Ballon d’Or nominee, with Han Un Gyong, North Korea’s representative in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) executive committee, even claiming that the students have access to books and information about the Argentinean star.
https://twitter.com/LeoMessi_Agent/status/539984575431446528
“I want to invite him, because our children love him,” Han said during an AFC gathering in the Philippine capital Manila.
“When I go to the Pyongyang international school, I ask them who do you think is the best player. They say: “Ah, we love Messi!” Even the girls,” she added.
“They read books about Messi and watch his games through the Internet. They can see all the games, China, Europe and everything at our Pyongyang International School. They can watch any football.”
“They love football, that’s why they know all the players’ names and everything.”
The facility caters for 200 boys and girls aged nine and above who are chasing their dreams to be successful footballers. According to Han, the academy was initiated by President Kim jong Un himself.
Selections and trials are conducted throughout the nation, and these players are then extensively monitored at the academy, to ensure consistent development and progression.
“They’re selected from all over the country. Our FA [football association] goes to all the provinces and chooses them. We have a lot of matches at weekends, we see them and choose the best. But if we see they’re not developing, we send them back and choose another one.”
While sport takes on a higher profile in North Korea, its human rights record continues to be a source of controversy.
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