FOOTBALL: It's Messi magic for Chelsea fan Jack (From Oxford Mail)

FOOTBALL: It's Messi magic for Chelsea fan Jack

9:40am Saturday 21st April 2012 in Evo-Stik Southern Premier By Russell Smith, Sports reporter specialising in horse racing. Call me on 01865 425453

Young Jack Barden is still in dreamland after stepping out as a mascot with Lionel Messi at Chelsea’s UEFA Champions League semi-final against Barcelona.

The seven-year-old, from Aston, near Witney, was chosen as one of the 22 mascots for the semi-final, first leg tie at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday after his father, John, won a competition run by Mastercard.

On his dad’s advice when the mascots were in the tunnel he hovered at the back in the hope of walking out with Chelsea striker Didier Drogba or Messi.

Suddenly he felt his hand being held – and looked up to see Messi, the best player in the world.

Chelsea fan Jack said: “He was my second choice because Drogba was my first.

“After that everyone wanted to touch my hand. It was really, really cool.”

Messi didn’t say anything to Jack, but just ruffled his hair and smiled as proud dad John looked on from the stands.

“I started crying,” admitted John. “I just thought wow, it couldn’t have been better.

“All his mates at school look at him like a little celebrity. He is in seventh heaven.”