A SOCCER wonderkid with NO FEET has been invited to train at Barcelona - and meet his idol Lionel Messi. Skilful schoolboy Gabriel Muniz, 11, amazed bosses after they saw him on TV and invited him to their summer academy. And now the Spanish club have offered to fly the youngster, who lives in Brazil, to Spain to showcase his skills and meet his hero. Talented Gabriel - who was born without feet - is one of the top players at his school and captain of his gym class. Gabriel's mum was thrilled at the news - and said she was pleased her son had adapted to his disability from a young age because his family was too poor to pay for treatment. She added: "He started walking before he was one. We would go after him, expecting him to keep falling, but he never fell." Brave Gabriel’s gym teacher Jose Lopes hailed his young star. He said: "The disability only exists inside our heads and he is proving it to everyone; he is challenging the social norms. "When he arrived there (Barcelona academy in Rio), no one believed in him "But he proved to everyone there, he can go head to head with any other boy. So much so that he was invited to go to Spain next month, in September, to showcase his talent. "To this day there isn't a Paralympics 11-a-side football team, but Gabriel is showing this will have to change, because he wants to play 11-a-side football.” Video: Boy with no feet invited to train with Barcelona

DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.

Tags:  

DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.

Related to this story

• A Closer Look at a 21-Day Religious Fast

---

• NPP’s Osei Nyarko condemns ‘high-handedness’ in crackdown on driver overcharging

---

• Gwollu, Resistance, and Renewal: The living legacy of the Tanjia Musa Fire Festival

---

• Ofori-Atta isn’t scared of criminal prosecution, he will come at the right time – Frank Davies

---

• Firefighters battle blaze at Madina Market

---

• “Metro Mass was in a sorry state, panting for breath when we took over” – MD Cezario Kale

---

• Japan restarts world’s largest nuclear plant as Fukushima memories loom large

---

• AG ‘extremely hopeful’ for Ofori-Atta’s return, acknowledges February 19 U.S. Court deadline

---

• Ghana’s High Commissioner to UK engages tech innovator Danny Manu on potential Ghana projects

---

• Adutwum best placed to lead NPP into 2028 elections – Campaign team

---