BEACH BALL Brit kid, 11, reveals Messi is a ‘normal dad’ after playing with Barcelona star and family on beach before joining him on his boat on Antigua holiday

A YOUNGSTER pictured enjoying a kickabout on a Caribbean beach with Lionel Messi and his children has been identified as an 11-year-old from north London.

Posted Tuesday, July 23, 2019 by Thesun.co.uk

Footage was published late last week showing the Barcelona star playing football with his son Thiago, six, and three other children including a blonde schoolboy on a beach in Antigua.

The child who enjoyed a beach kickabout with Lionel Messi in Antigua has been revealed as a Londoner Credit: Golders/@queen.anto

BEACH BALL Brit kid, 11, reveals Messi is a ‘normal dad’ after playing with Barcelona star and family on beach before joining him on his boat on Antigua holiday
The English youngster has spoken to Argentinian media about his once-in-a-lifetime experience last week Credit: Golder’s News & Sport Ltd. (Golders)

Now it has emerged today the boy was Mackenzie O’Neill.

After meeting the Barcelona legend, the English kid told Argentinian sports daily Ole: “Messi was with his family on the beach. I was on my own and began to kick my ball a few feet from where they were.

"His dad Jorge threw a ball to me and asked if I wanted to play with them and then we played football with Thiago and Messi for 45 minutes.

"Thiago is a fantastic player for his age and wasn’t shy about playing. Playing with Messi was incredible.

"Messi’s wife translated because she speaks English very well. Later on I ended up swimming with Messi and we went out on a little boat and spent a lot of time in the water. He lifted me up on his shoulders and Thiago followed me wherever I went.”

Asked by the paper, which said it had interviewed Mackenzie with his mum Anna’s permission, if Messi had given him any advice about football, he replied: “No, because he doesn’t speak English, but seeing how skilful he was enough advice for me.

"Playing with Leo in the water was great fun. He acted like a normal dad. I also realised that Messi really enjoyed seeing his son play with other children.

"I think if Thiago was still at the resort, we would have played together every day. If I see him next year, I’ll play with him again.

"I holiday at the same beach every year with my family.”

The lucky youngster added: “The last night Messi and his family were here I was playing with Thiago and gave him my football to keep.

"But he ran after me along the beach and insisted I keep it. Afterwards Messi and his wife said goodbye to me with huge smiles. I am not going to forget them.”

Messi stayed with his family in a luxurious villa at Jumby Bay in Antigua which reportedly cost a staggering five grand per night.

He used the break to get over his disappointment at Argentina’s failure to win the Copa America.

Messi and Co were knocked out at the hands of Brazil in the semi-final, as the superstar's quest for a long-awaited international trophy rages on.

The Barcelona ace was even sent-off in the 37th-minute of the third-place play-off win over Chile in another forgettable campaign, where he slammed "corrupt" referees.

BEACH BALL Brit kid, 11, reveals Messi is a ‘normal dad’ after playing with Barcelona star and family on beach before joining him on his boat on Antigua holiday
Messi has been enjoying some relaxation after his Copa America heartbreak Credit: Instagram @antonelaroccuzzo