Barca keep an eye on Mini-Messi

SPANISH football giants FC Barcelona have been keeping a close eye on a highly talented young Southside soccer player after his dad sent them a tape of his son showing off his abilities.

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Michael Duffy, who is the proud father of Ciaran Duffy (8) from Saggart, was contacted by the former Champions League title holders after he sent the club a video clip of his son’s footballing skills.

Ciaran, who has been dubbed

“Mini Messi

? after the diminutive Barcelona frontman and Argentinian national player Lionel Messi, plays football for the under nines at his local club, Rathcoole Boys FC.

The youngster regularly entertains and wows spectators with his soccer freestyle skills.

Now a popular sport in its own right, freestyle football involves the expression of skill with a football and performing tricks using various parts of the body.

Mr Duffy said:

“In November I sent Barcelona a video. It was a little Halloween tape of Ciaran dressed up in a costume. He wanted to send it to Lionel Messi.

“They came back to us a couple of weeks later and said thy really appreciated it and that the academy would be in touch.

“Barcelona indicated that their academy would possibly be interested because he is a very young natural talent and that is what they are always looking for. I am hoping that they will come back to me now.

?

Mr Duffy also said that a scout from Premier League team Everton had expressed an interest in the youngster’s ability.

“In the meantime I was talking to a guy from Everton and he saw Ciaran doing skills and freestyle in town,

? he added.

“He said he is going to come and see him play soon.

?

In January Southside People reported on how Ciaran helped to raise

?¬60,000 required to send five-year old Niamh Moriarty, who suffers from a type of cerebral palsy, to the United States for surgery that will help her walk independently for the first time.