Four-time world player of the year, Lionel Messi, was the august visitor of Gabonese president, Ali Bongo Ondimba, on Saturday, 18th of July as he laid the first stone at one of the potential venues of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Barcelona FC star officially started the building process at the Port-Gentil stadium, in a ceremony that took place on a wide sandy ground where the stadium will be built.

It was the Argentine forwards first visit to Gabon and during which he signed autographs on team jerseys worn by his fans, before proceeding to lay the stone, in company of the president.

“When I was in Barcelona a few years ago, I met Messi who had told me that he would come to visit me in Libreville. It’s a promise he made me. He is a man of honour who just kept his word,” the Gabon president said.

The new stadium will have a capacity of 20,000 and is expected to host matches from November 2016 in the build-up to the tournament.

more pics coming

What's wrong with the two men in the last picture? Must you always throw the two?